Appendices
Appendix A: Letter to Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith MP,
Chair of the Liaison Committee, from Lynne Featherstone MP, Minister
for Equalities, Home Office
As Minister for Equalities and Criminal Information,
I am writing to inform you of the forthcoming process to appoint
a new Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC),
and to seek your view on which Committee should perform the pre-appointment
scrutiny. The current Chair's appointment ends on 11September
2012. However, we regret that there is likely to be a gap between
the current Chair standing down and a permanent successor taking
post. We will obviously move as swiftly as possible to ensure
any potential gap is minimal. This is due to a delay in finalising
our wider reforms to the EHRC. I should be grateful for your support
in this matter.
In line with departmental guidance, which states
that in the majority of cases it will be the relevant departmental
select committee which will scrutinise the appointment, my officials
had presumed that the Home Affairs Select Committee (HASC) would
be responsible for this, but were advised by the Clerk to HASC
that, as the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) also has an
interest, it is for the Liaison Committee to decide which committee
should scrutinise the appointment. We would of course wish to
avoid potential appointees having to face two pre-appointment
hearings by different committees. A suggested way forward could
be for HASC and JCHR to hold a joint pre-appointment hearing.
The Home Office has engaged Gatenby Sanderson to
administer the selection process, working with Home Office officials.
An appointments panel, which includes a Public Appointments Assessor,
has also been established, in line with the Commissioner for Public
Appointments' Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to
Public Bodies. The panel will provide the Home Secretary and me
with a selection of appointable candidates. Once we have made
a decision on the preferred candidate, that candidate will be
put forward to the appropriate Committee for the pre-appointment
hearing.
Once we have confirmation of how the scrutiny for
this post will be handled, my officials will liaise with the relevant
Clerk to take this forward. Given the tight timescales for commencing
the recruitment campaign, I am copying this letter to the Chairs
of both HASC and JCHR and also taking the opportunity to seek
their views on the selection criteria and publicity strategy at
Annex A and the indicative timetable at Annex B, in particular
the proposed timing of the pre-appointment scrutiny process.
Annex A
Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
Selection criteria—essential skills to be
tested at interview
- A commitment to, and knowledge
or experience of, equality and human rights.
- Substantial leadership experience in a senior
role in the public, private or voluntary sector and a track record
of successful delivery.
- Board experience in an organisation of similar
complexity, and a track record of leading and managing significant
change.
- A keen sense of impartial and independent judgement
with the ability to differentiate and weigh up competing arguments
and draw sound conclusions capable of justification under close
scrutiny.
- Outstanding relationship-building skills, with
the ability to differentiate and weigh up competing arguments
and draw sound conclusions capable of justification under close
scrutiny.
- A demonstrable ability to operate effectively
and comfortably in the media spotlight as the face of the EHRC.
- High standards of corporate and personal conduct—able
to demonstrate a sound understanding of and commitment to public
service values, act impartially and uphold the independence of
the organisation.
Publicity strategy
- Gatenby Sanderson to act as
recruitment agency, draft the advert and make arrangements to
advertise the post, using the Commissioner's kitemark on all publicity
material.
- To advertise on the Cabinet Office public appointments
website.
- To advertise in the Sunday Times (with confirmed
good coverage in Scotland and Wales).
- To circulate the post widely using Government
Equalities Office networks.
- To seek views from relevant Ministers on likely
candidates.
- To state in all publicity relating to the post
that the appointment is subject to a pre-appointment hearing by
a parliamentary Select Committee.
Annex B
Timetable for EHRC Chair Recruitment
| Date | Activity
| Comment |
| 29 March to 4 May
| Purdah (Local and Central)
| |
| Friday 4 May | Gatenby Sanderson book space in Sunday Times, organise artwork
| |
| Friday 7 May
| Early May Holiday
| |
| Friday 11 May | Publish Advert on Public Appointments website
| |
| Friday 11 May | Advert to GEO networks
| |
| Sunday 13 May |
Agency to publish advert in Sunday Times. 4 week window for applications
| |
| 24 May-11 June
| Whitsun Recess
| 4 June Spring Holiday
5 June Queen's Diamond Jubilee
|
| Mon 11 June | Closing date
| |
| 12-15 June | Paper sift of applications
| |
| 18-19 June | Longlist meeting
| |
| 25-28 June | Gatenby Sanderson conduct screening interviews with candidates
| |
| 17 July-3 September
| Summer Recess
| 27 Aug Summer Bank Holiday
|
| 5 or 6 July | Shortlist meeting with Panel to agree final candidates for interview
| |
| 23-25 July | Interviews to select appointable candidates
| |
| 30 July | Submission—Report to Ministers
| |
| 4 Sept | Home Secretary writes to Chair of Select Committee announcing HMG's approved candidate
| After recess |
| 5 Sept | Pre-employment checks begin
| |
| 11 Sept-2 Oct | Public Appointments Pre-Appointment Scrutiny
| 3 week window |
| 9 October | Select Committee report on hearing
| |
| 15 October | HMG confirms successful candidate
| subject to Select Committee Report
|
| 22 October | Candidate takes up appointment
| |
Appendix B: Job Advertisement for the Chair of
the EHRC
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
Chair
Appointing Department: Home Office—Government
Equalities Office
Number of vacancies: one
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) was
established in 2007 as a statutory body to help eliminate discrimination,
promote equality of opportunity and protect human rights across
England, Scotland and Wales. The Commission is accredited by the
United Nations as the independent body responsible for monitoring
the human rights situation in Britain, including compliance with
international human rights commitments, working in partnership
with the Scottish Human Rights Commission.
Vacancy description:
£130k per annum, pro rata for up to 2 days
a week (this equates to up to £56K
per annum). The Equality and Human Rights Commission currently
has offices in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Scotland and Wales.
There has never been a more important time for the
EHRC. We are seeking a strong, strategic Chair who will lead and
develop the Board, setting the Commission's overall direction
to reflect its core role as an independent equality body and National
Human Rights Institution.
You will position the EHRC to deliver its challenging
remit, providing decisive leadership to drive up performance.
You will ensure that robust governance arrangements are in place
to support the EHRC's evidence-based approach, and work with the
Board, Chief Executive and staff in developing organisational
capacity and capability in response to the Government's wish to
see significant reform and refocusing. Accountable to the Home
Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities, you will develop
and maintain high-value relationships and alliances with Ministers,
influential partners, governments at home and abroad, opinion
formers, industry and others, demonstrating judgement, integrity
and resilience in the face of challenge.
The successful candidate will have Board-level experience
in an organisation of similar complexity, and a track record of
leading and managing significant change in the public, private
or voluntary sectors. An appreciation of the workings of government
will be important, and you will also have a demonstrable ability
to build strategic partnerships and be the public face of an organisation.
You will have commitment to, and knowledge or experience of, equality
and human rights. This is a unique opportunity to drive the debate
forward in an area of enormous complexity and importance to Britain.
Essential skills and experience
- A commitment to, and knowledge
or experience of, equality and human rights.
- Significant senior leadership experience gained
at board level in the public, private or voluntary sectors.
- A successful track record of leading and managing
significant change.
- A keen sense of impartial and independent judgement,
with the ability to differentiate and weigh up competing arguments
and draw sound conclusions capable of justification under close
scrutiny.
- Outstanding relationship building skills, with
the ability to command respect, build networks quickly, and work
with and through others to achieve objectives.
- A demonstrable ability to operate effectively
and comfortably in the media spotlight as the public face of the
EHRC.
- High standards of integrity in both corporate
and personal conduct—able to demonstrate a sound understanding
of, and commitment to, public service values.
Pre-appointment scrutiny
- This appointment is subject
to a pre-appointment hearing by a Parliamentary Select Committee.
The preferred candidate for the post of Chair of the EHRC may
therefore be required to appear before the appropriate Parliamentary
Select Committee prior to appointment. This hearing would be open
to the public and would involve MPs questioning the candidate
on his or her suitability for the post.
Eligibility and conflict of interest
- There are circumstances in
which an individual will not be considered for appointment. These
include where the individual:
- has received a prison sentence
or suspended sentence of 3 months or more in the last 5 years;
- is the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order
or interim order;
- has had an earlier term of appointment terminated
(in certain circumstances);
- is under a disqualification order under the Company
Directors Disqualification Act 1986;
- has been removed from trusteeship of a charity.
- You will be required to declare
any personal or business interests, positions of authority or
other connections with commercial, public or voluntary bodies
which may, or may be perceived to, influence your judgments in
performing your duties. Any actual or perceived conflicts of interest
will be fully explored by the panel at short listing or interview
stage.
Closing date: Monday 18 June
Interviews start: Mid July
How to apply:
For further details about the role please visit www.gatenbysanderson.com
For an informal confidential discussion about the role please
contact our advising consultants Juliet Taylor on 0207 426 3990
or Mark Turner on 0207 426 3983.
This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public
Appointments.
We welcome applicants from all sections of society
regardless of sex, gender reassignment, race, disability, sexual
orientation, religion or belief, age, marriage and civil partnership,
pregnancy and maternity, caring responsibilities, part-time working
or other status.
Appendix C: Letter from Rt Hon Maria Miller MP,
Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, to Dr Hywel Francis,
Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, 1 October 2012
Lynne Featherstone wrote you on 22 May about the
pre-appointment scrutiny hearing for the new Chair of the Equality
and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). At the time, responsibility
for Equality lay with the Home Office and as a consequence it
was agreed that the pre-appointment hearing would be heard jointly
by your Committee and the Home Affairs Select Committee. I want
to thank you for agreeing to this.
As responsibility for the Equality and Human Rights
Commission has now moved from the Home Office to the Department
for Culture, Media and Sport, my officials liaised with the Clerks
to the relevant Committees about which Committees now have an
interest in this appointment and are best placed to hold the hearing.
I understand that the position reached is that the Joint Committee
on Human Rights will conduct the pre-appointment scrutiny hearing
on its own.
I am also writing to provide an update on the Chair
recruitment. The selection panel carried out the recruitment process
in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code
2012 and, following interviews, recommended two candidates who
had met the selection criteria for the post. Before making my
decision, I met both candidates on 26 September. I have chosen
Baroness Onora O'Neill as my preferred candidate to be Chair of
the EHRC and therefore to progress to the pre-appointment scrutiny
stage. I am attaching her CV for your information. Baroness O'Neill
has been informed and is aware that she will need to appear before
your Committee for pre-appointment scrutiny on 16 October at 10.30am.
My officials in the Government Equalities Office
will liaise with your Clerks to ensure that you have everything
you need in good time before the hearing.
I look forward to receiving your Report following
the scrutiny session.
I am copying this letter to Sir Alan Beith, Chair
of the Liaison Committee and John Whittingdale, Chair of Culture,
Media and Sport Select Committee.
1 October 2012
Appendix D: Curriculum Vitae:
Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve, June 2012
Professor Onora O'Neill CBE FBA Hon FRS F Med
Sci
(Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve)
Personal:
Born 23rd August 1941, Aughafatten, Northern Ireland.
UK citizen. Two sons. both married with children
Address: [...]
Phone: [...}
Education:
St Paul's Girls' School, London, 1953-8; Foundation
Scholar.
Somerville College, Oxford, 1959-62; Coombes Scholar;
BA Hons 1st class, Philosophy, Psychology and Physiology,
June 1962.
Harvard University, 1963-68; GSAS Scholarships, 1963-64,
1964-65 PhD 1969, (supervisor John Rawls) Universalisability;
Carrier prize for dissertation.
Academic Appointments:
1970-77 Assistant then Associate Professor, Barnard
College, Columbia University.
1977-92 Lecturer, later Professor, University
of Essex.
1992-2006 Principal of Newnham College, Cambridge
and since 2003 Honorary Professor of Philosophy, Cambridge University.
For Publications See Separate List[2]
(8 books; some 120 journal articles; lots of occasional pieces
mostly on matters of public policy; I remain research active)
Political Life:
Member of House of Lords since 1999; independent
cross bench peer.
Select Committees: Science and Technology, Stem Cell
Research 2002-03; BBC Charter Review 2005-06; Science and Technology,
Genomic Medicine 2008-09; Science and Technology, Nanosciences
and Food, 2009-10; Science and Technology, Behavioural Change,
2010-11.
Subcommittee on Lords' Conduct (previously Lords'
Interests) since 2010
Administrative and Committee Responsibilities
At University of Essex between 1977 and 1992:
Chair, Department of Philosophy; member Senate; University
Council for various periods between 1979 and 1992—also numerous
other committees.
At Cambridge University:
Member University Press Syndicate, University Council,
University Finance Committee for various periods between 1993
and 2004—also numerous other committees.
Newnham College: 1992-2006,
Chair, Governing Body, Council, Finance Committee, and Investments
Committee and numerous other committees.
Nuffield Foundation: 1997-2010:
Chair, Trustees, Finance, Investments, and numerous other committees.
British Academy; Chair
Council and numerous other committees 2005-09, since when reduced
commitments.
Selected Further Public and Charitable Responsibilities
since 1990:
1990-94 Animal Procedures Committee, Home Office
1991-98 Nuffield Council on Bioethics (Chair
96-8)
1993-99 Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission
1996-04 Trustee, Isaac Newton Trust
1996-99 Human Genetics Advisory Commission (Acting
Chair 1999)
1996- Executive Committee, British Irish
Association
2000-09 Trustee, Gates Cambridge Trust
2004- Trustee, Sense About Science
2004- Trustee, American University of Sharjah
2004- Trustee, PHG Foundation
2012 Member of Council, MRC
Honorary Elections:
I have some 25 Honorary degrees, am a member or corresponding
fellow of a number of overseas national academies, an Honorary
Bencher of Gray's Inn, an Honorary Fellow, Faulty of Actuaries,
2006 and an Honorary member of the Royal Statistical Society.
June 2012
Appendix E: The statement submitted by Baroness
O'Neill of Bengarve with her application for the position of Chair
of the EHRC
Equality and human rights matter, and their progress
depends on a combination of policies, remedies and culture. In
my view it is of central importance for EHRC to focus on those
equalities that can be furthered in ways that are compatible with
and support respect for human rights, and to seek and communicate
robust evidence both about outcomes and about procedures in both
areas. Fairness matters to and for the public, who should expect
fair treatment for individuals of all backgrounds, and good communication
of the basis on which decisions are made.
1. I have a long experience of equality and human
rights matters of two sorts.
First, I write and publish in ethics and political
philosophy, and have done so since writing my Ph D under the late
John Rawls, the best known theorist of justice of the last half
century. (If the system for uploading permits and additional
document I will provide my publication list to illustrate the
range of topics on which I have written; if not it is available
upon request). Second, I have a wide range of practical experience
running from chairing appointments, grievance and disciplinary
committees for a number of institutions, to dealing with equality
and discrimination issues in the context of university admissions,
to more specialised work on questions of discrimination, genetics
and the use of personal data.
2. My leadership experience has been mainly in
the university and voluntary sectors, and is quite diverse. I
have chaired boards for many years, have had fruitful working
relations with a number of CEOs and understand the difference
of roles well. I have asked Mr Anthony Tomei, Director of the
Nuffield Foundation, to be a referee, both because I was his chair
for a total of 12 years, and because the Foundation has commitments
to many initiatives that bear on equality and human rights.
3. No institution stands still, and I think
that the changes that I led were most marked at Newnham College
and the British Academy—both self-governing institutions
in which Fellows collectively determine policy, which can (notoriously!)
be problematic if the Chair lacks the ability to command confidence,
listen well and resolve conflict. Examples of changes: greater
financial independence; changes to governance structures; major
additions to premises; better outward links and more public policy
engagement; a collaborative style of work in both contexts.
4. Careful judgement and a respect for arguments,
and for those who put them forward, has been my mainstay in a
career spanning academic work, administration, public policy and
the charitable sector. I retain considerable faith in the power
of argument and in the willingness of most people to respond when
evidence is clear and properly presented. When chairing I rarely
use a vote to resolve deadlocks—and never as an alternative
to exploring issues or taking others seriously. In my experience,
a collegial style of decision making is ultimately more efficient,
provided that the preparation of issues and papers is good and
forward planning effective.
5. I have worked with an enormous variety of
people on many different projects, and am sufficiently interested
in them to find it enjoyable. I constantly encounter new fields,
people and projects and get to know them rapidly. My style is
generally collaborative and I have long since learned to let others
take credit for whatever an institution achieves.
6. I am comfortable with public and media attention,
while having few illusions that the latter will always get the
right end of the stick (I have just submitted evidence to the
Leveson Inquiry[…]). I have good control of what I say in
public and am used to dealing with media questions; I listen and
question with care, and focus on responding to others' concerns,
which often helps to defuse misunderstandings and hostile comments.
7. I understand both the Nolan principles and
wider public service values, and work within them at all times.
I am particularly interested in ensuring that appeals to openness
are taken in an intelligent way, rather than being viewed as no
more than a duty to disclose. In my view intelligent openness
in public life is a matter of communicating in ways that ensure
that others can not only locate but also understand and assess
material.
8. I am not disqualified under any of the headings
listed.
9. My current institutional commitments are listed
in my cv. I am thoroughly familiar with the need to update declarations
of interest regularly. I do not believe that I currently have
any conflict of interest, or that anybody would perceive that
I had one.
2 Not printed Back
| 
