Appendix A
Our Ref: MFC/1472
Sir Bernard Jenkin MP
Chair, Public Administration and
Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC)
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
7 September 2018
Dear Bernard,
OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR OF CONSULTANT LOBBYISTS: PRE-APPOINTMENT SCRUTINY: NOMINATION OF GOVERNMENT’S PREFERRED CANDIDATE
I am writing in relation to the pre-appointment scrutiny hearing for the position of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists. As the appointing Minister, I am writing to nominate Harry Rich as the Government’s preferred candidate for a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing due to take place on 12 September.
The role of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists was first advertised between 27 April and 1 June on the Centre for Public Appointments website and eight applications were received during this initial recruitment window. At this juncture, I instructed my officials to reopen the recruitment campaign from the 11 June to 25 June and during this time three additional applications were made. In total, eleven applications were received for this position.
The panel was chaired throughout the process by Peter Lee, Director of the Constitution Group, Cabinet Office. The panel short-listed three candidates for interview. The interviews for this position were held on 23 July. The panel concluded that two of the three candidates were appointable. Of the two candidates deemed appointable, I have selected Harry Rich as the Government’s preferred candidate.
I appreciate that this notification of the preferred candidate is at short notice and I thank you, the Committee and your Clerks for their patience and support in ensuring this hearing goes ahead next week. I also look forward to meeting with the Committee on 11 September.
Yours ever,
CHLOE SMITH MP
Published: 17 September 2018