Decision

Summary of business appointments applications - Rt Hon Grant Shapps

Published 6 November 2017

Grant Shapps left is role as Minister of State at the Department for International Development in November 2015

1. Adviser, Avanti Communications Group

Mr Shapps sought the Committee’s advice on taking up a part-time role as Adviser at Avanti Communications Group (Avanti). Avanti is a provider of satellite data communications services in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Mr Shapps told the Committee this is a paid role and he will be advising on how to more effectively approach sub-Saharan organisations, like power utilities and school departments, in order to speed up connections and support socio-economic development. He noted this appointment is unlikely to include any contact with Government.

The Committee recognised the closeness of Avanti’s work to his responsibilities as Minister at DfID (both the digital and girls education policy areas). This closeness has the potential to give rise to perceptions around the possibility of reward for actions taken whilst in office. However, DfID confirmed that whilst Mr Shapps had overall responsibility for some of the policy areas in which Avanti operates, he had no official dealings with Avanti in office and the company’s relationships with Government are wider than his former remit. As Avanti is involved in projects across Government, the Committee also sought Cabinet Office’s views. It confirmed there is a relationship between Avanti and Government but did not consider there was any further relevant information the Committee should be aware of and raised no concerns about this application. The Committee considered there is no evidence of any direct conflict here and therefore the time that has passed since Mr Shapps left office (23 months) is a sufficient gap given the specific circumstances of this case.

DFID confirmed Mr Shapps holds no commercially sensitive information which could benefit Avanti. The Committee also took into account that relevant information from his time in office will likely have moved on (given the number of months that has passed since he was in office). However, the Committee considered there is a risk he could be seen to offer Avanti an unfair advantage as a result of contacts gained in office. It considered the conditions below appropriately mitigate any risk here.

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;
• for two years from his last day in Ministerial office, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Avanti Communications Group, or its partners or clients. He should not make use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government to influence policy or secure business on behalf of Avanti Communications Group, or its partners or clients; and
• for two years from his last day in Ministerial office, he should not undertake any work on behalf of Avanti Communications Group, or its partners or clients, that involves the subject matter, or terms of, a bid or contract relating directly to the work of the UK Government.

The Committee sent its advice letter to Mr Shapps in October 2017 and the appointment was taken up later that month.

Terence Jagger recused himself from this application.