Decision

Summary of business appointments applications - Jeremy Browne

Updated 15 September 2015

Jeremy Browne left his role as Minister of State in the Home Office in October 2013.

1. Senior Representative in Europe, City of London Corporation

Mr Browne sought the Committee’s advice on taking up a paid appointment as Senior Representative in Europe with the City of London Corporation. The role involves representing the interests and views of the City and the wider financial services sector in the European Union, and Europe more widely.

The Committee took into account that Mr Browne had official dealings with his prospective employer whilst in office, but this would have been at least three years ago, and it was almost two years since his last day in Government. Mr Browne indicated that his role would involve interaction with the Government, although it would not involve lobbying. His former Departments, the Home Office and the Foreign Office, had no concerns about the proposed appointment.

The Committee saw no reason why he should not accept the appointment, subject to the conditions that:

• he should not draw on [disclose, or use for the benefit of himself or the City of London Corporation] any privileged information available to him from his time in Government; and
• for two years from his last day in office, he should not become personally involved in lobbying UK Government Ministers or Crown Servants, including Special Advisers, on behalf of the City of London Corporation, or the residents or the commercial interests it represents.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Browne in August 2015 and he took up the role in September 2015.

2. Independent consultancy and Honorary Professor with the University of Nottingham

Mr Browne sought advice to set up as an Independent Consultant, to advise businesses and other organisations on internationalisation, and accept a commission with the University of Nottingham.

In their consideration of this application, the Committee noted that Mr Browne did not have direct official dealings with the University of Nottingham during his last two years in office.

The Committee advised Mr Browne that it saw no reason why he should not take up this role, subject to the following conditions:

• he should not draw on any privileged information available to him as a Minister;

• for two years from his last day in ministerial office, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of his clients or those he advises, whether as an independent consultant or otherwise; and

• once he has received approval to set up as an independent consultant, for two years from his last day in ministerial office he must seek confirmation from the Committee directly that each individual commission is permissible under the terms of his consultancy before taking it up. 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 Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Browne in April 2015 and he took up his initial commission with the University of Nottingham in June 2015.