DBT's business appointment rules advice, April to June 2026
Published 2 October 2026
© Crown copyright 2026
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In July 2026, DBT was replaced by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST).
BIST will continue to publish DBT business appointments rules advice until later in 2026.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) issued a decision on 3 applications submitted under the business appointment rules for the period of April to June 2026.
Application 1: Michael James Clark
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Full name of applicant | Michael James Clark |
| Title of former Civil Service role | Deputy Director, Industrial Strategy Unit |
| Civil Service leaving date | 30 April 2026 |
| New employer | Illuminate Economics |
| New appointment/employment (including when taken up) | Founder and Director, 5 May 2026 |
| Department’s decision on application (including details of any waiting period or other conditions or restrictions applied) | Michael was reminded of the Official Secrets Act and advised not be involved in direct lobbying of government bodies. Michael should also, where relevant, disclose his ex-Civil Service status in dealings with Civil Service bodies |
Application 2: Andrew Death
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Full name of applicant | Andrew Death |
| Title of former Civil Service role | Deputy Director Corporate Reporting, Assurance and Governance |
| Civil Service leaving date | 30 April 2026 |
| New employer | International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation |
| New appointment/employment (including when taken up) | Director of Jurisdictional Engagement and Funding, 1 July 2026 |
| Department’s decision on application (including details of any waiting period or other conditions or restrictions applied) | During an initial 6-month ‘cooling off’ period, Andrew should refrain from lobbying or having any dealings with government departments. In his future dealings with such departments, Andrew should make clear his former status as a Senior Civil Servant. |
Application 3: Joanne Hawley
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Full name of applicant | Joanne Hawley |
| Title of former Civil Service role | Deputy Trade Commissioner Europe |
| Civil Service leaving date | 30 April 2026 |
| New employer | Reset: The Britain Project |
| New appointment/employment (including when taken up) | Executive Director, 10 September 2026 |
| Department’s decision on application (including details of any waiting period or other conditions or restrictions applied) | Joanne should ensure that her former status as a DBT Civil Servant is made clear in any dealings with UK government bodies or DBT ministers. Should the position outlined in this application materially change at some point in the future (that is, the next 3 years), Joanne should seek further approval to avoid any perception of conflicts of interest. |