Decision

Summary of business appointments applications - Sir David Reddaway

Updated 23 May 2016

Sir David left his role as Ambassador to Turkey in February 2014.

1. Clerk, Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths

Sir David sought advice on taking up a part-time, paid appointment with the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. His new role will see him act as the Clerk of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. He will act as the Chief Executive Officer and have responsibility of overall management of the company as well as being its representative in external functions.

When considering this application, the Committee noted that Sir David did not have any contractual dealings with the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, or its competitors, and was not responsible for those who did in his last two years of service. The Committee also took into account the views of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, who had no concerns with him undertaking this work.

The Foreign Secretary accepted the Committee’s recommendation that Sir David’s application be approved subject to the following conditions:

• For two years from his last day of service (28 February 2014) he should not become personally involved in lobbying UK Government on behalf of his new employers; and
• He should not draw on privileged information available to him as a Crown Servant.

The letter containing the final decision was sent in December 2015 and he took up the role in January 2016.

2. Council Member, Gerson Lehrman Group

Sir David sought advice on accepting a role as a Council Member with Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG).

The Committee noted that Sir David had no contractual dealings with GLG during his last two years of service, nor was he responsible for people who did. He was not involved in the development or administration of any policy or decisions (including the award of grants) that could have affected GLG, and did not have access to any commercially sensitive information about any competitors.

The Committee took into account Sir David’s commitment to not have any contact with the FCO in this role with GLG.

The Foreign Secretary accepted the Committee’s advice that there was no reason why Sir David should not take up this appointment, subject to the following conditions:

• Sir David should not draw on privileged information available to him as a Crown servant; and

• For two years from his last day of service, Sir David 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 advice was sent to Sir David in May 2015.

3. Mentor, Royal College of Defence Studies

Sir David sought advice on accepting a role as a mentor at the Royal College of Defence Studies (employed by System Consultants Services).

The Committee noted that Sir David had no contractual dealings with his new employer during his last two years of service, nor was he responsible for people who did. He was not involved in the development or administration of any policy or decisions (including the award of grants) that could have affected them, and did not have access to any commercially sensitive information about any competitors.

The Foreign Secretary accepted the Committee’s advice that there was no reason why Sir David should not take up this appointment, subject to the following conditions:

• Sir David should not draw on privileged information available to him as a Crown servant; and

• For two years from his last day of service, Sir David 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 advice to Sir David was sent in May 2015.

4. Governing Board, School of Oriental and African Studies

Sir David sought advice to accept a part-time unpaid appointment as a Member of the Governing Board for the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London University.

In their consideration of this application, the Committee noted that Sir David did not have any direct contractual dealings with his the SOAS during his last two years of service.

The Foreign Secretary accepted the Committee’s recommendation that Sir David’s application be approved subject to the following conditions:

• Sir David should not draw on privileged information available to him from his time in Government; and
• For two years from his last day in service, Sir David should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of his new employer, its parent company or its clients.

The letter containing the final advice was sent in March 2015 and he took up the new role in September 2015.

5. Member of the Council of Experts, Democratic Progress Institute

Sir David sought advice on an appointment as a member of the Councils of Experts with the Democratic Progress Institute.

In their consideration of this application, the Committee noted that the appointment will involve occasional contact with his former Department. The Committee took into account that Sir David’s duties will be to take part in meetings on specific conflict issues and offer advice on how the DPI can help in conflict resolution.

The Committee noted that Sir David did have official contact with the DPI while in post as HM Ambassador to Turkey. It also took into account the fact that the FCO’s six month moratorium on former Ambassadors having dealings with their country of last posting had expired. The Committee also noted that the FCO did not believe this appointment could be perceived as a reward and had no reservations about this appointment.

The Foreign Secretary accepted the Committee’s recommendation that Sir David’s application be approved subject to the following conditions:

• Sir David should not draw on privileged information available to him from his time in Government; and

• For two years from his last day in service, Sir David should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of his new employer, its parent company or its clients.

The letter containing the final decision was sent in March 2015 and he took up the role later that month.

6. Adviser to the Board, Beko

Sir David sought advice on accepting a part-time, paid appointment as an advisor to the Board of Beko Plc (UK).

The Committee noted that Sir David’s proposed role as senior adviser would involve advising the Board on its marketing strategy and business/investment planning in the UK, including its involvement in corporate social responsibility and sponsorship activity, and on any other relevant aspects of British life.

The Committee took into account that Sir David has not had access to commercially sensitive information about any competitors of his prospective employer. Furthermore, he has not been involved in the development or administration of any policy decisions (including the award of grants) that could affect his employer.

The Foreign Secretary has accepted the Committee’s recommendation that the application be approved subject to the following conditions:

• for six months from his last day in post, Sir David should not return to Turkey for business purposes, give advice on it or have dealings with companies there;

• for two years from his last day of service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of his new employer or their clients; and

• he should not draw on privileged information available to him as a Crown Servant.

The letter containing the final decision was sent in June 2014 and he took up the new role in September 2014.