Letter from Segro following publication of ACOBA's report, breach of the Rules (Segro)
Published 17 March 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/corbridge-richard-chief-digital-and-information-officer-department-for-work-and-pensions/letter-from-segro-following-publication-of-acobas-report-breach-of-the-rules-segro
25 March 2025
Dear The Rt Hon Lord Pickles and The Rt Hon Mr. McFadden
DWP application concerning the appointment of Mr. Richard Corbridge with SEGRO plc
I am the Chief Executive of SEGRO plc (‘SEGRO’) and have seen the letter of The Rt Hon Lord Pickles dated March 2025 to The Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP concerning Mr. Richard Corbridge’s application for advice from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (the ‘Committee’). SEGRO recognises the importance of the Committee’s work in promoting public confidence in the integrity of government and business. I write to set out briefly SEGRO’s explanation of what happened and to apologise for our part in the situation which arose.
Following Mr. Corbridge’s acceptance of his offer of employment with SEGRO in August 2024, SEGRO liaised with the Department of Work and Pensions (‘DWP’) to align on the announcement process. Miscommunications during this period resulted in SEGRO understanding that it was permitted to announce Mr. Corbridge’s appointment on 7 October 2024 using the form of words agreed with DWP. SEGRO is now aware this announcement occurred prior to the receipt of advice by Mr. Corbridge or DWP from the Committee in relation to this appointment. There was no intention by either SEGRO or Mr Corbridge to wilfully announce his appointment in the absence of required advice from the Committee.
I am also now aware of the correspondence from the Committee to SEGRO dated January 2025 which has been published on the Committee’s website, and the Committee’s observation that SEGRO did not respond to this correspondence. Unfortunately, the Committee’s letters did not reach the intended recipient such that SEGRO first became aware of these communications following publication on the Committee’s website in March 2025. SEGRO wishes to assure the Committee that it would have responded had it been aware of these communications in January 2025. SEGRO intended no discourtesy by not responding to the Committee’s communications, and we apologise accordingly.
SEGRO expects and maintains the highest standards in the conduct of its business and wishes to assure the Committee that it will ensure the correct procedure is adhered to in relation to any future relevant appointments.
Yours sincerely
SEGRO plc