Decision

Summary of business appointments applications - Ann Beasley

Updated 7 February 2018

Ann Beasley left her role as Chief Finance and Commercial Officer at the Ministry of Justice in September 2016.

1. Non-Executive Director, board of St George’s University Hospital Foundation Trust

Ms Beasley sought the Committee’s advice about becoming a non-executive Director on the board of St George’s University Hospital Foundation Trust (the Trust).

In considering this application, the Committee took into account that this is a part time, unpaid position and is not likely to include any contact or dealings with Ms Beasley’s former department or Government more generally. The Committee also noted that Ms Beasley had no dealings with the Trust nor did she have any access to any relevant commercially sensitive information while in office.

The Prime Minister accepted the Committee’s advice that, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• she should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of herself or the organisations or persons to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to her from her time in Crown service; and
• for two years from her last day in service, she should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the St George’s University Hospital Foundation Trust.

The letter containing the final advice letter was sent in November 2016 and Ms Beasley took up the role later that month.

2. Independent Financial Adviser, Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas)

Ms Beasley sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with Acas, a non-departmental public body, governed by the Acas Council.

Ms Beasley stated her role will be paid and part-time, and that as an Independent Financial Adviser her role will be to sit on the Committee to provide specific capability to allow the Audit Committee to fulfil its duties, through: the provision of technical advice and guidance on accounting and finance issues; the review and challenge of the Annual Accounts before signature by the Chief Executive; ensuring the Audit Committee is kept abreast of accounting changes to reporting and compliance requirements; playing a pro-active role in the relationship with both internal and external auditors; and providing practical advice and guidance to support good governance, assurance and risk management in Acas. She does not expect to have contact with Government in this appointment.

The Committee noted that both the Ministry of Justice and Ms Beasley confirmed she had no official dealings with Acas whilst in office. As such, the Committee considered there is nothing to suggest the role could reasonably be perceived as a reward for her time in office.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed to the Committee that it has no relationship with Acas; and that Ms Beasley has no access to commercially sensitive or policy information which would give Acas an unfair advantage. However, as Ms Beasley’s role had been in finance, the Committee imposed conditions making it clear that any use contacts gained whilst in office to the advantage of Acas (a non-departmental public body sponsored by another government department), would be inappropriate.

The Prime Minister accepted the Committee’s advice that, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, this appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• she should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of herself or the organisation to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to her from her time in Crown service; and
• for two years from her last day in Crown service, she should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service or its partners, nor should she make use, directly or indirectly, of her contacts in Government and/or Crown service to influence policy or secure business on behalf of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service or its partners.

The letter containing the final advice letter was sent in December 2017 and Ms Beasley took up the role in January 2018.