Guidance

Regulatory Innovation Office Chair: terms of reference

Published 2 May 2025

1. Purpose of document

a) The Terms of Reference set out the broad governance framework within which the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) Chair and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) operate. They have been agreed between DSIT and the RIO Chair.
b) The document does not convey any legal powers or responsibilities but both parties agree to operate within its terms.
c)The Terms of Reference will be reviewed and updated at regular intervals. The latest date for a first review and update of this document is February 2028 (the end of the term of the first RIO Chair).

2. Classification

a) The Regulatory Innovation Office has been established as a directorate within DSIT, and the RIO Chair functions as a ‘champion’ and advisor. The role is a non-classified appointment without budgetary or executive responsibilities.

3. Purpose, functions and duties of the RIO

a) The purpose, functions and duties of the RIO are expected to evolve over the course of its first two years. Below is set out assumptions around how the RIO will work, correct as of May 2025.
b) The Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) has a key role in positioning the UK as the best place in the world to commercialise technologies and innovation by: working with businesses, regulators and departments to address regulatory barriers that are holding back innovation; and driving wider change in regulators’ behaviour and attitudes towards innovation.
c) The RIO offers an integrated pathway to address regulatory barriers to innovation in priority sectors and technologies, from:

- industry and regulator engagement;
- through using the government’s authority and convening power to bring together stakeholders to work through these obstacles and test novel approaches;
- to the development and implementation of changes to existing rules or the establishment of new standards.

Alongside this, the RIO is developing and promoting best practice for innovation enabling regulation.

4. Role of the RIO Chair

1) Promote regulatory reform in support of innovation.
2) Lead engagement with stakeholders, including industry, regulators, other government departments, and the public on behalf of the RIO, working within the framework of government policy as set by Ministers and at the discretion of DSIT Ministers and senior sponsors.
3) Work with expert advisors, such as the Regulatory Horizons Council, to support the implementation of recommendations.
4) Provide trusted advice on the future ‘Target Operating Model’ of the RIO.

5. Roles and responsibilities:

a) The Secretary of State for DSIT is responsible for the RIO and must be consulted on significant changes in role and remit for the RIO Chair.
b) The Principal Accounting Officer (PAO) is the DSIT Permanent Secretary.

6. Mutual responsibilities

a) The Regulatory Innovation Office team will provide:

1) Diary management and secretariat support to the Chair;
2) Briefings for stakeholder meetings, and policy support to follow up on agreed actions;
3) Support to draft letters, public statements, and internal notes to ministers and other departments’ officials.
4) Support to enable the RIO Chair to build and maintain positive relationships with Regulatory Horizons Council members and chair.
5)Collaborative support to enable the Chair to provide constructive and timely input into a strategy for the RIO, to be published at regular intervals, and at least every 24 months.

b) The Chair will:

1) liaise with the RIO team to agree a forward look of meetings. The Chair’s activities will ensure that engagement activities are agreed in advance, and with sufficient time for briefing to be prepared where required.
2) Provide clear feedback to officials to help shape letters, statements and ministerial updates.
3) Sight the RIO Director on proposed written updates to ministers, and consider feedback provided by the RIO Director.
4) Seek clearance from the RIO Director and Team for public letters or statements whenever possible, which may, at the discretion of the Team, be referred to Ministers for a final decision.
5) Work constructively and supportively with RHC members and chair.
6) Work with the RIO Team, Director and Ministers to publish an update on activities, and on future plans at least every 12 months.

c) The RIO Director will:

1) meet at least monthly with the Chair and will discuss and agree strategic objectives at least quarterly.
2) Provide feedback on material sent by the Chair to the minister.

d) The Secretary of State and relevant ministers will:

1) Retain overall responsibility for setting direction for RIO activity and strategy.
2) Provide sign off on any proposed public statements or letters;
3) Meet at least bi-monthly with the RIO Chair to discuss progress on the RIO.
4) Be accountable to parliament for RIO activities.

7. Transparency arrangements

a) In line with the government’s aspirations for transparency in all public bodies, the RIO will publish, on GOV.UK:
1) The name and biography of the Chair;
2) A full register of interests and gifts/hospitality, to be updated at least annually;
3) Details of fees paid to the Chair.

b) At least every 12 months, the RIO will report publicly on the chair’s activities.
c) The RIO does not hold a separate legal personality to DSIT and is therefore within scope of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

8. Committees

a) The RIO sponsors an advisory committee, the Regulatory Horizons Council, with whom the RIO Chair will work closely.
b) The RIO Chair will not direct the activities of the Regulatory Horizons Council, which has its own chair.
c)The establishment of any additional bodies will be subject to Secretary of State, permanent secretary, and number 10 agreement as relevant.

9. Performance

a) The performance of the RIO Chair will be evaluated annually by the Director for the RIO, taking into account the views of relevant stakeholders. The outcome of that evaluation should be made available to the Secretary of State.

10. Chair’s individual responsibilities:

a) Detailed responsibilities and expectations for the Chair are set out in their Terms and Conditions, including:
1) Compliance at all times with the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, which includes the Nolan Principles of Public Life as well as rules relating to the use of public funds and to conflict of interest;
2) Demonstrating adherence to the 12 principles of Governance for all Public Body Non-Executive Directors as appropriate;
3) Not misusing information gained in the course of their public service for personal gain or for political profit, and not seeking to use the opportunity of public service to promote private interest or those of connected persons or organisations;
4) Complying with DSIT’s rules on the acceptance of gifts and hospitality, and business appointments;
5) Acting in good faith, and in the interests of the Regulatory Innovation Office.