Decision

Summary of business appointment applications - Lord O'Neill

Updated 12 July 2018

Lord O’Neill left his position as Commercial Secretary to the Treasury in September 2016.

1. Chair of the Council of Chatham House, ​Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House)​​​.

The Committee previously advised Lord O’Neill (in November 2017) in relation to his application to become a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Chatham House. Lord O’Neill subsequently sought the Committee’s advice on becoming Chair of the Council at Chatham House. The Committee considered whether any propriety issues arose from this change in role.

Lord O’Neill explained the unpaid role will involve providing strategic leadership and guidance and acting as a leading ambassador for Chatham House, representing it with the Institute’s principal stakeholders, including its members, its regulators, the British and other governments, and major donors.

HM Treasury’s (HMT) view was that the change in role did not influence the department’s previous advice; therefore HMT had no concerns over the new appointment.

The Committee noted that, as Chair, Lord O’Neill would be a visible and leading ambassador for Chatham House; and this will involve representing the Institute with its stakeholders - including Government. The Committee considered the appointment as Chair increased the potential risk of providing Chatham House with an unfair advantage; not least as Government is an existing institutional donor to Chatham House. The Committee therefore drew Lord O’Neill’s attention to the lobbying ban set out below, which makes clear that it would be inappropriate to use contacts made in office to secure funding for Chatham House.

The Committee also considered it relevant that 18 months had passed since Lord O’Neill left office and this remained an unpaid role for a not-for-profit think-tank focusing on international affairs.

Taking into account these factors, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised this appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• he should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the persons or organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him as a Minister; and
• for two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Chatham House​, the ​Royal Institute of International Affairs. This is not intended to prevent him from having routine contact with Government in his role as Chair. However, it would prevent him from making use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government to secure funding on behalf of Chatham House​, the ​Royal Institute of International Affairs.

The Committee sent its advice letter in March 2018 and he took up the role he following month.

2. Commissioner, Independent Commission on Social Housing, Shelter

Lord O’Neill sought advice on accepting a position on an independent Commission on social housing being established by Shelter.

Lord O’Neill informed the Committee that Shelter (the housing and homelessness charity) was establishing an independent Commission to lead a national conversation on the role and nature of social housing in Britain’s communities, following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

The Commission will run from January to October 2018 through a series of public events; and commissioners will be asked to commit six half-days to attend consultation events and Commission meetings to steer the findings. Lord O’Neill informed the Committee that the role would involve no contact with Government and would be unpaid.

The Permanent Secretary to HM Treasury had no concerns about this appointment.

Given the nature of the Commission; that Lord O’Neill will be unpaid; and that he will not have contact with Government in the role - the Committee concluded there is no basis for viewing the appointment as a reward for decisions made in office or for considering Lord O’Neill would confer an unfair advantage.

Taking into account the specific facts in this case, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised the appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• he should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the organisation to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him from his time in Ministerial office; and
• for two years from his last day in Ministerial office, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Shelter or the Commission.

The Committee sent its advice letter in January 2018 and the role was taken up later that month.

3. Distinguished Fellow at Chatham House, ​Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House)​​​.​

Lord O’Neill sought the Committee’s advice on taking up an appointment as a Distinguished Fellow at Chatham House. The role was described as unpaid and requiring no specific time commitment (though it was noted that, should he work on​ funded project activity, ​he may be compensated​ for​ his time on a consultancy basis); and would include:

• Contributing principally to ​Chatham House’s​ work across the field of the global economy and international finance.
• Potentially joining a Senior Advisory Group ​which may be established to offer guidance on possible areas of research and other activities.​
• Potentially contributing to the work of Chatham House’s Centre on Global Health Security, led by Dr David Heymann and which has an ongoing stream of work on combating anti-microbial resistance.
• He may also be asked to contribute to roundtable discussions and conferences.​ ​

The Committee took into consideration this is an unpaid role as a fellow for a not-for-profit think-tank which focuses on international affairs; and that Lord O’Neill had no official dealings with Chatham House over and above speaking at their events in 2015 and 2016. There is another connection with HMT, as with other government departments, in that HMT has helped fund research and has a corporate membership with Chatham House.

The Committee also recognised Lord O’Neill’s background in finance, economics and research. Overall, as the role has no direct connection to his time in office, the Committee considered there was little risk the role could be seen to have been offered for actions or decisions taken in office.

The Committee took into consideration HMT’s view that the time which has passed since Lord O’Neill left office (14 months), and the change in Government, means he would not have access to any particularly sensitive information, such as unannounced policy.

The Committee recognised the role may include some contact with Government, given the links Chatham House has via research and the bringing together of experts and decision makers for discussion.

Taking into account these factors, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised this appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• he should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the persons or organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him as a Minister; and
• for two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Chatham House​, the ​Royal Institute of International Affairs. This is not intended to prevent him from having routine contact with Government in his role as a Distinguished Fellow. However, it would prevent him from making use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government to secure funding on behalf of Chatham House​, the ​Royal Institute of International Affairs.

The Committee sent its advice letter in November 2017 and he took up the role in January 2018.

4. Advisory Board Member, The Project for Modern Democracy

Lord O’Neill sought the Committee’s advice on accepting a position as an Advisory Board Member at The Project for Modern Democracy, an independent think tank formed to promote more efficient government and good citizenship.

Lord O’Neill said that this role would be unpaid and the time commitment would be minimal. He would have no responsibility for governance but might become involved in projects of interest. He explained that the role would only involve contact with Government at the request of Government and he would not engage in lobbying.

The Permanent Secretary to the Treasury advised the Committee that he had no concerns about this appointment.

The Committee concluded there is no basis for viewing this appointment as a reward for decisions made in office, as it is an unpaid position and the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury has confirmed that Lord O’Neill had no connection to the organisation while a Minister.

The Committee considered the risk that The Project for Modern Democracy could gain an unfair advantage to be low as Lord O’Neill confirmed that he would only have contact with Government in this role at the request of Government. The Committee also noted that there had been a gap of almost 15 months since he left office.

Taking into account the specific facts in this case, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised the appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• he should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the organisation to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him from his time in Ministerial office; and

• for two years from his last day in Ministerial office, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of The Project for Modern Democracy. This is not intended to prevent him from reporting to Government on the activities of The Project for Modern Democracy, or from advising the UK Government in relation to subjects that are an integral part of normal business for the organisation, when the UK Government has asked for such advice.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Lord O’Neill in December 2017 and the role has since been taken up.

5. Sheffield University Management School

Lord O’Neill sought the Committee’s advice on taking up an unpaid, part-time appointment as the Chair of a Group at Sheffield University Management School (SUMS).

The Committee noted that although Lord O’Neill had previous contact with numerous universities, HMT confirmed he was not involved in any of the detailed spending design or resource allocations.

The Committee also took into account that as the Government has ongoing relationships with universities across the country, and as Lord O’Neill will possibly have contact with Government going forward, there is potential for SUMS or the University of Sheffield to gain an unfair advantage should it seek to influence policy, or secure funding from Government to support future research. As such, the Committee applied the conditions below to reduce the potential for risks in taking up this role.

In accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised this appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• he should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the persons or organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him as a Minister;
• for two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Sheffield University Management Centre, the University of Sheffield or its students. This is not intended to prevent him from reporting to Government on the activities of Sheffield University Management Centre, or from advising the UK Government in relation to its research when the UK Government has asked for such advice. However, it would prevent him from making use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government to influence policy or secure funding on behalf of Sheffield University Management Centre, the University of Sheffield or its students.

The Committee sent its advice letter in September 2017.

6. Steering Group Member, the Royal Society and the British Academy

Lord O’Neill sought the Committee’s advice on taking up an appointment as a Member of a Steering Group, established by the Royal Society and the British Academy. It will provide evidence on the value of research whilst showcasing the contribution of public investment in science and research to economic prosperity and societal well-being. He said his role would be to: meet to agree the terms of reference for the project; contribute to the design of the final specifications for the research commission; suggest and evaluate possible delivery partners for the research; review interim findings from the project; act as a champion for the project at ad hoc events that will be identified to promote the project findings; and provide content that could be used for online communication.

The Committee took into account this role is unpaid and that although Lord O’Neill had some contact with the British Academy and its former Chair whilst in office - this was to take part in board discussions, rather than in relation to specific decisions. The Committee considered there was little risk this role could be seen as a reward.

The Committee also noted there is no particular connection between this role and Lord O’Neill’s role at HM Treasury (HMT), and HMT has no concerns about this appointment.

In accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised this appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• he should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the persons or organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him as a Minister; and
• for two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the British Academy, the Royal Society or the Steering Group. This is not intended to prevent him from reporting to Government on the activities of the Steering Group, however, it would prevent him from making use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government to influence policy or secure funding on behalf of the British Academy, the Royal Society or the Steering Group.

The Committee sent its advice letter in September 2017 and the role was taken up later that month.

7. Trustee, SHINE

Lord O’Neill sought the Committee’s advice on taking up an appointment as a Trustee on the Board of Support And Help In Education (SHINE).

The Committee noted that SHINE is a charity that supports educational programmes for children from economically deprived areas of England. Lord O’Neill told the Committee he co-founded the charity and had a seat on the board for fifteen years before joining government. The role would be part-time and unpaid.

The Committee also took into consideration that the role will involve no contact with Government and that Lord O’Neill’s former department, HM Treasury, has no reservations about this appointment.

In accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised the appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• he should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the persons or organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him as a Minister; and
• for two years from his last day in Ministerial office, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of SHINE.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Lord O’Neill in May 2017 and the role was announced in July 2017.

8. Board Member, Northern Powerhouse Partnership

Lord O’Neill sought the Committee’s advice about joining the Board of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, a not-for-profit organisation created by George Osborne to promote economic development in the North of England.

The Committee noted that Lord O’Neill’s role will be unpaid and will involve occasional presence at board meetings and possibly roundtable discussions. It also noted that he had responsibility for the Government’s Northern Powerhouse project as Commercial Secretary to the Treasury.

When considering the application the Committee took into account that Lord O’Neill expected only to have contact with the Treasury and Government more broadly at the request of Government. It also took into account that his former Department had no concerns about the appointment.

Taking into account these factors, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised Lord O’Neill that the appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• He should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the persons or organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him as a Minister; and
• For two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, or make use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government and/or Crown service to influence policy or secure funding on behalf of the Partnership.

The Committee sent its advice letter in November 2016 and he took up the role in the same month.