Decision

Summary of business appointments applications - Lord Kerslake

Updated 19 July 2017

Lord Kerslake left his role as Head of the Civil Service in September 2014 and as Permanent Secretary in DCLG in February 2015.

1. Chair, Sheffield Theatres Trust

Lord Kerslake sought advice on accepting a voluntary role with the Sheffield Theatres Trust.

When considering this application, the Committee noted that Lord Kerslake did not have any direct contractual dealings with the Sheffield Theatres Trust in his last two years of service and was not responsible for any members of staff who did.

The Prime Minister accepted the Committee’s recommendation that the application be approved subject to the following conditions:

• Lord Kerslake should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself, or the organisation, or person to which this advice refers) privileged information available to him from his time in Crown service; and
• for two years from his last day of service, Lord Kerslake should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the Sheffield Theatres Trust, its partners or their clients.

The letter containing the final decision was sent in October 2015 and the appointment was announced later that month.

2. Chair of the Board, London Pension Collective Investment Vehicle

Lord Kerslake sought advice on accepting a part-time, paid role as Chair of the Board with the London Pension Collective Investment Vehicle (London CIV), part of London Councils. London CIV is a new body through which London Boroughs will be able to invest their pension funds to achieve economies of scale, cost savings and opportunities to invest in new asset classes.

When reaching a decision, the Committee noted that DCLG is responsible for local government pension policy and, jointly with the Cabinet Office, has led the work on the creation of collective investment vehicles in local government. As Permanent Secretary, Lord Kerslake will have had some involvement in the development or administration of departmental policy that affected the London CIV. However, the Committee noted that the creation of collective investment vehicles is Government policy, of which the London CIV is an early example, and that Lord Kerslake was not involved in awarding any grants to the London CIV. The Committee also noted Lord Kerslake’s long career in local government, which predates his time at DCLG. Therefore, the Committee does not believe that the appointment could reasonably be perceived as a reward for decisions taken by Lord Kerslake or his former department during his time in Crown service.

The Prime Minister has accepted the Committee’s recommendation that this application be approved subject to the conditions that:

• Lord Kerslake should not draw on [disclose or use for the benefit of himself, or the organisation, or person to which this advice refers] any privileged information available to him from his time in Government.

• For two years from his last day of service, Lord Kerslake should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the London CIV, its constituent organisations, or clients.

The letter the final advice was sent in September 2015, and he took up the appointment later that month.

3. Independent Consultancy

Lord Kerslake sought advice on setting up an independent consultancy company called Endcliffe Services. The company would provide management services on a consultancy basis.

The Committee noted that Lord Kerslake does not intend to provide advisory services related to central government and will instead focus on consultancy work connected to local government and the health sector.

The Prime Minister has accepted the Committee’s recommendation that this application be approved subject to the conditions that:

• For 12 months from his last days of service Lord Kerslake should not undertake any work as a consultant, which involves providing advice to any company or organisation on the terms of a bid or contract relating directly to the work of his former departments.

• Lord Kerslake should not draw on privileged information available to him from his time in Crown service; and

• For two years from his last day of service, Lord Kerslake should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of his new company, his clients or those he advises.

• Before accepting any commission Lord Kerslake should make a case directly to the Committee to confirm that each individual commission he wishes to undertake would be permissible under the approved terms of the consultancy. (If, after enquiry, the Committee takes the view that a commission is, or may be, outside the terms of the consultancy he will be expected to submit a fresh application).

The letter containing the final advice was sent in July 2015, and he took up the appointment in September 2015.

4. Retained Associate, Penna

Lord Kerslake sought advice about accepting a Commission with Penna, as part of his consultancy company Endcliffe Services. Penna is a global people management organisation, working in the HR Services industry. The Company offers a wide range of HR services, including recruitment, training and interim management. Penna is a UK based company and operates in both the private and public sector.

When considering these applications, the Committee noted that Lord Kerslake did not have official dealings with Penna during his last two years in office. Although DCLG had some contracts with Penna, Lord Kerslake had no involvement in the award of these, and the Department has no concerns with him accepting a role with Penna. Furthermore, the Committee took into account that Lord Kerslake was not involved in contracts awarded to recruitment consultants and he therefore did not have any direct dealings with any of Penna’s competitors.

When reaching a decision the Committee has also noted Lord Kerslake’s assurance that he will not be involved in recruitment or advisory work with central government.

The Prime Minister has accepted the Committee’s recommendation that this application be approved, subject to the terms applied to Lord Kerslake’s consultancy company.

The letter containing the final advice was sent in July 2015, and he took up the appointment in September 2015.

5. Chairman, King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust

Sir Bob sought advice on accepting a role as Chairman of King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust.

When considering this application the Committee received assurances, from both the Cabinet Secretary and the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health, that the public interest in ensuring that KCH has continuity in strategic leadership during a period of operational and financial challenge was best served by Sir Bob being able to take up the role at the beginning of April. The Committee judged that no questions of propriety or public concern arose from the appointment and that therefore, exceptionally, the standard three month waiting period for former Permanent Secretaries should be reduced to one month.

The Prime Minister accepted the Committee’s recommendation that the application be approved, subject to the following conditions:

• a one month waiting period from his last day in Crown service;

• Sir Bob should not draw on privileged information available to him from his time in Crown service; and

• for two years from his last day of service, Sir Bob should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of his new employers, their parent companies or their clients.

The letter containing the final decision was sent in December 2014 and the appointment was announced in March 2015.

6. Chairman of the Board, Peabody

Sir Bob sought advice on accepting a role as Chairman of the Board of Peabody, the Housing Association.

When considering this application the Committee noted that DCLG is the department responsible for housing policy, including affordable housing. When reaching their decision the Committee noted that Peabody is limited to operating in London, and that the responsibility for the funding of affordable housing in London has been devolved to the Greater London Authority (rather than DCLG or the HCA). They further noted that the appointment with Peabody is unpaid, and that Sir Bob was offered the role having applied for an advertised post.

The Prime Minister accepted the Committee’s recommendation that the appointment be approved subject to the following conditions:

• A three month waiting period from his last day in Crown service;

• Sir Bob should not draw on privileged information available to him from his time in Crown service; and

• for two years from his last day of service, Sir Bob should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of his new employers, their parent companies or their clients.

The letter containing the final decision was sent in December 2014 and the appointment was announced in January 2015.

7. Strategic Consultant, WANdisco plc

Lord Kerslake sought advice on taking up a part-time, paid role as a strategic consultant with WANdisco plc, an IT software company.

The Committee noted that Lord Kerslake would consult on global and national government matters, attending meetings with company personnel and potential customers. The Committee also took into account that Lord Kerslake had no official contact with the company whilst in post. While WANdisco has had dealings with other Government departments, Lord Kerslake has undertaken not to become involved in any discussions with Government as part of his role.

In reaching a decision on this application, the Committee took into account that DCLG had no concerns about the propriety of the appointment.

The Prime Minister accepted the Committee’s recommendation that this application be subject to the following conditions:

• Lord Kerslake should not draw on any privileged information available to him from his time in Government; and
• for two years from his last day of service, Lord Kerslake should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of WANdisco.

The Committee’s advice letter was sent in June 2016

8. Non-Executive Member of the Board of Governors, Sheffield Hallam University

Lord Kerslake sought advice on taking up a part-time and an unpaid role with Sheffield Hallam University in a non-executive role as a member of the Board of Governors.

The Committee noted that Lord Kerslake had no official contact with the university during his last two years of Crown service; and whilst the role is likely to involve some limited contact with the department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) on higher education matters, he will not engage in lobbying.

In reaching a decision on this application, the Committee took into account that DCLG had no concerns about the propriety of the appointment.

The Prime Minister accepted the Committee’s recommendation that this application be subject to the following conditions:

• Lord Kerslake should not draw on any privileged information available to him from his time in Government; and
• for two years from his last day of service, Lord Kerslake should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Sheffield Hallam University. The Committee accepted that he may need to engage with the Government on educational and other issues and in the normal course of university business, as opposed to issues relating to the public funding of Sheffield Hallam University or its students.

The Committee’s advice letter was sent in June 2016 and the post was taken up in October 2016

9. Member of ENGIE UK’s Advisory Board

Lord Kerslake sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a part-time, paid role as a Member of ENGIE UK’s Advisory Board. ENGIE is a global company which provides energy supplies and services; as a member of its UK advisory board, Lord Kerslake said he will seek to guide the company in matters relating to its UK strategy.

When considering this application, the Committee took into account the time that had passed since Lord Kerslake had left office, and that he had no official contact with ENGIE UK whilst employed as the Permanent Secretary of DCLG and, later, as the Head of the Civil Service. They also noted that the appointment will not include any contact or dealings with his former department or with government more generally.

The Prime Minister accepted the Committee’s recommendation that this appointment be subject to the conditions that:

• Lord Kerslake should not draw on any privileged information available to him from his time in Government; and
• or two years from his last day of service, Lord Kerslake should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of ENGIE UK.

The Committee’s advice letter was sent in February 2017.