New appointments to the Regulatory Policy Committee
The RPC has been an ad hoc advisory committee for two years. Recognising its importance to the regulatory agenda, the Government recently reconstituted…
The RPC has been an ad hoc advisory committee for two years. Recognising its importance to the regulatory agenda, the Government recently reconstituted RPC as an advisory non-departmental public body (NDPB) sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
The RPC will continue to provide expert, independent advice on the quality of analysis and evidence supporting policy decisions on new regulatory and deregulatory proposals prior to submission to the Reducing Regulation Committee (RRC), a Cabinet sub-committee.
Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk said:
“Good evidence behind Government policy making is essential, especially when we’re trying to change the culture of Whitehall. The RPC is a vital part of our reducing regulation agenda, and the success of the One in, One out rule, which is why we’ve decided to put it on a formal institutional basis.
“I welcome Michael’s appointment as Chair. He has been involved since its beginning and will provide welcome continuity and experience. I am sure that the new appointees to the Committee will continue the excellent work of the RPC.”
Michael Gibbons said:
“I am extremely pleased to be appointed as Chair of the independent Regulatory Policy Committee.
“I believe the RPC has helped to achieve a great deal over the last two years, but it is clear there is much still to do. I am therefore very much looking forward, together with the members of the Committee, to making further progress in helping to achieve better regulatory outcomes.”
Michael Gibbons has held a very wide range of commercial and public appointments including: Managing Director of Powergen’s Gas Business; Member of the Gas Consumers Council; Director of 2Co Power (Yorkshire); Member of the ECSC Joint Consultative Committee and Regional Councillor of the CBI.
Notes to editors
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Michael Gibbons was a Member of the Better Regulation Commission and its predecessor body the Better Regulation Task Force from 2002 - 2008. In 2007 he completed a Review (the Gibbons Review) of Employment Dispute Resolution Regulations for the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, and chaired a Practitioner Panel on the simplification of employment law for the DTI. In February 2008 he was appointed by the European Commission to the High Level Advisory Group on Administrative Burdens.
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Michael Gibbons’ appointment as Chair is for three years from 1 April 2012, on a remuneration capped at £20k per annum (£500 per day).
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Alexander Ehmann is currently the Head of Government and Parliamentary Affairs at the Institute of Directors (also Head of Regulation and Employment Policy). Alexander joined the IoD in 2006, having worked in Public Affairs and External Relations for PhonePayPlus, a UK telecommunications regulator.
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Jeremy Mayhew is non-party Common Councilman on the City of London Corporation, where he chairs the Audit & Risk Management Committee, having previously chaired the Barbican Centre Board. Most of Jeremy’s professional career has been in the media and broadcasting industry: in the past, he was a Board Director of BBC Worldwide and, for the past 10 years, he has worked as a consultant, advising clients in and about the media sector. He is also a former non-executive Board Member of both the Strategic Rail Authority and the London Development Agency.
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Professor David Parker is currently Emeritus Professor of Economics at the Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield University. Prior to retirement he was Research Professor in Privatisation and Regulation at Cranfield. He was also Co-Director of the Centre for Research in Economics and Finance and a member of the UK Competition Commission between 1999 and 2007. David has been a Member of the Regulatory Policy Committee since November 2009.
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Dr Ian Peters is currently the Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors and has been a Member of the Regulatory Policy Committee since November 2009. Ian was previously the Director of External Affairs at the Engineering Employers’ Federation from 2001-2008 and was a member of the Better Regulation Task Force/Better Regulation Commission from 2000-2007.
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Martin Traynor is currently the Group Chief Executive of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce. Martin has extensive experience in the hospitality industry having worked in hotel management for 22 years. Having served as the President of Loughborough Chamber of Trade, he became the President of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce in 1999 which led, two years later in 2001, to his current role.
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Sarah Veale is currently head of Equality and Employment Rights at the TUC and has been a Member of the Regulatory Policy Committee since November 2009. She has been a member of four better regulation national bodies (Better Regulation Task Force, Better Regulation Commission, Risk and Regulation Advisory Council and the Regulatory Policy Committee).
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Ken Warwick is a recently retired senior member of the Government Economic Service, with 35 years experience as an applied economist. Ken was the Deputy Chief Economic Advisor in BIS from 2003-2011. Since leaving the GES he has established himself as an independent economics consultant.
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Members are appointed for three years from 23rd April 2012. Their remuneration is capped at £14k per annum (£350 per day).
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All appointments were made in accordance with the requirements of the Commissioner of Public Appointments Code. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public.
- Michael Gibbons declared: no political activity
- Alexander Ehmann declared that he had stood as a candidate as a local councilor, acted as a political agent, held office such as chair/treasury or branch of a local party, and canvassed on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Party
- Jeremy Mayhew declared that he is a non-party/independent Common Councilman on the City of London Corporation, having stood for that office and having spoken on his own behalf in elections. He has also canvassed on behalf of the Conservative Party
- Professor David Parker declared no political activity
- Dr Ian Peters declared no political activity
- Martin Traynor declared no political activity
- Sarah Veale declared that she had canvassed on behalf of the Labour Party.
- Ken Warwick declared no political activity
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The Better Regulation Executive, in the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, is responsible for implementing the better regulation agenda; working across government to improve the way new laws and regulations are created; reduce unnecessary red tape; and provide the best environment for business to start up, flourish and grow.
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BIS’s online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.
Notes to Editors
Contact Information
Name BIS Press Office Job Title
Division Department for Business, Innovation & Skills Phone
Fax
Mobile
Email bispress.releases@bis.gsi.gov.uk
Name Aidan Steer Job Title
Division Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Phone 020 7215 5245 Fax
Mobile