Decision

Summary of business appointment applications - Mrs Nicola Blackwood-Bate

Updated 20 November 2018

Mrs Blackwood-Bate left her role as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health and Innovation at the Department for Health (DH) in June 2017.

1. Public Group International Ltd (Public)

Mrs Blackwood-Bate sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with Public, a part-time and paid role. Public works with start-up companies in the technology and finance sectors by supporting them as they move into the public sector.

Mrs Blackwood-Bate described her role as researching and writing a report on how the NHS can be more open and transformed by new technologies and promoting its conclusions. Mrs Blackwood-Bate confirmed the report will be published online and freely available to members of the public. She said it was intended to help the NHS think about how it can better innovate and help UK startups understand the health and care innovation landscape more clearly - with a view to bringing new technologies into the NHS.

The Committee also noted that Mrs Blackwood-Bate was Minister for Public Health and Innovation, and therefore had Ministerial responsibility in an area in which Public operates. However, it considered there was no real risk this could be seen as a reward for decisions made in office given: Public is a relatively newly formed company which Department of Health (DH) confirmed it has no relationship with; and Mrs Blackwood-Bate confirmed she had no previous official dealings with it, its clients or its founders

Mrs Blackwood-Bate stated she has no sensitive information which could unfairly advantage Public; the work involves discrete piece of research which will be made publicly available and the Department; and the Department saw no reason she should be prevented from taking up this work given four months had passed since her time in office.

However, as this work is within the same broad sector for which she had responsibility whilst she was in office; and given the nature of Public’s business - the Committee recognised there were risks around the perception that Public may stand to gain an unfair advantage.The Committee considered that applying the conditions below reduced the potential for risks arising in Mrs Blackwood-Bate taking up this role. In particular, conditions which confine the work to that described in this advice so that she must not advise Public (or the companies in which it invests) on any other matters; and that any contact with Government should be limited to that as described above in carrying out research.

The Committee advised 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 persons or organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to her as a Minister;
• any work for Public Group International must be confined to researching and writing the research paper described in this advice, which will be made available in the public domain. She must not provide advice to Public Group International’s clients or partners or support or advise Public Group International in any other matters (such as business development) 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 Public Group International or its clients or partners. This is not intended to prevent her from having contact with Government in order to conduct research as described in this advice. However, it would prevent her from making use, directly or indirectly, of her contacts in Government to influence policy or secure business or funding on behalf of Public Group International or its clients or partners.

The letter containing the final decision was sent in October 2017 and the appointment was taken up that month.

2. Advisory Board Member at Eagle Genomics

Mrs Blackwood-Bate sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with Eagle Genomics, a company which has created a smart data management platform, allowing scientists to bridge the gap between data and biological research. She described her role as paid and part-time, and said she will provide strategic advice to the Board.

The Committee noted that as Minister for Public Health and Innovation, Mrs Blackwood-Bate had Ministerial responsibility in an area in which Eagle Genomics operates. However, Mrs Blackwood-Bate confirmed with the Committee she had no official dealings with Eagle Genomics whilst in office; and the Department of Health confirmed there is only an indirect relationship with the company by virtue of its application for funding via Genomic England (which was most recently unsuccessful). As a result, the Committee considered the risk this role could be seen as a reward was low.

The Committee also took into account that the Department of Health confirmed that Mrs Blackwood-Bate received briefings which included some sensitive information about health technology policy whilst she was a Minister. However, the Department considered there is no specific conflict of interest - given that matters have moved on or are in the public domain.

The Committee was mindful of the risk of unfair advantage given the closeness of this work to that for which Mrs Blackwood-Bate had responsibilities for as a Minister. However, the Committee recognised that Eagle Genomics is focussed in a different area of work (in particular smart data management and microbiomes); and the nature of work - providing advice in a non-executive capacity to the board. After careful consideration, the Committee decided that the four months which had passed was a long enough gap between Mrs Blackwod-Bate leaving office and taking up this role, subject to the conditions outlined below.

The Committee advised 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 persons or organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to her as a Minister;
• for two years from her last day in Crown service, she should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Eagle Genomics or its partners, or make use, directly or indirectly, of her contacts in Government/Whitehall to influence policy or secure funding on behalf of Eagle Genomics or its partners; and
• for two years from her last day of Crown service she should not undertake any work on behalf of Eagle Genomics or its partners that involves the subject matter, or terms of, a bid or contract relating directly to the work of the Department of Health or its arms-length bodies

The letter containing the final decision was sent in October 2017 and the appointment was taken up in November 2017.

3. Board Member at the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE)

Mrs Blackwood-Bate sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with CaSE, a not-for-profit organisation, which describes itself as the UK’s leading independent advocate for science and engineering, promoting a high-tech and knowledge-based economy, highlighting the need for top-quality science and maths education at all levels, and scrutinising the mechanisms by which Government uses science and evidence. Mrs Blackwood-Bate described her role as part-time, and said that as CaSE is both a charity and a company limited by guarantee, she will have legal responsibilities as a Trustee, and as a Non-Executive Director, for the good governance and financial management of the organisation.

The Committee took into account that CaSE is a not-for-profit organisation and the role will be unpaid. It also noted the Department confirmed there had been no official contact with CaSE in her capacity as a Minister; and there is no formal relationship between the Department and CaSE. The Committee took into account that Mrs Blackwood-Bate had said there was a chance she may have had some contact with CaSE as a local MP during this time, this was not linked to her role as a Minister. The Committee considered there was little risk this role could be sen to be offered as a reward.

The Committee also considered the Department’s confirmation there is no information from Mrs Blackwood-Bate’s time in office that remains unannounced in the public domain. The Committee also noted that almost six months has passed since she left ministerial office. However, given CaSE looks to influence Government, the Committee considered there was the potential for unfair advantage as a result of the contacts she will have gained across Government and Whitehall. The lobbying ban imposed makes clear that any use of contacts made whilst in office, to the advantage of the employer, would be inappropriate.

The Committee advised 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 persons or organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to her as a Minister; 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 Campaign for Science and Engineering 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 funding on behalf of Campaign for Science and Engineering or its partners.

The letter containing the final decision was sent in November 2017 and the appointment was announced shortly after.

4. Board Member at Oxford University Innovation (OUI)

Mrs Blackwood-Bate sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with OUI. She said her role will be to offer strategic advice as a former Chair of the Science and Technology Select Committee and politician.

DH confirmed Mrs Blackwood-Bate had no meetings or communications with OUI in a ministerial capacity; and has no concerns about her taking up this role.

OUI’s work is related to areas for which she had responsibility whilst in ministerial office, however the Committee noted that DH confirmed she was not privy to any government policy or projects that have not yet been announced. The Committee also recognised that six months have now passed since she left ministerial office.

However, the Committee considered there may be a risk that OUI could gain an unfair advantage as a result of the contacts Mrs Blackwood-Bate gained during her time as Minister. The conditions imposed therefore make clear that any use of her contacts across Government/Whitehall on behalf of OUI, would be inappropriate.

The Committee advised 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 persons or organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to her as a Minister; 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 Oxford University Innovation or its partners or subsidiaries, nor should she make use, directly or indirectly, of her contacts in Government and/or Crown service to influence policy or secure funding or business on behalf of Oxford University Innovation or its partners or subsidiaries.

The letter containing the final decision was sent in January 2018 and the appointment was announced shortly after.

5. Member of the Governing Board, Push Doctor Limited (Push Doctor)

Mrs Blackwood-Bate sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with Push Doctor, a digital health company, which provides online GP services including virtual consultations, prescriptions and general GP services.

The Committee noted the DH’s confirmation it has no formal relationship with Push Doctor; that she did not meet with the company during her time in ministerial office; and that it has no concerns about her taking up this role. The Committee considered there is little risk she took actions or made decisions in office in expectation of being offered a role with this organisation.

Push Doctor operates within the same sector for which Ms Blackwood-Bate had some ministerial responsibility, which presents some risk around the potential for offering the company an unfair advantage as a result of her time in office. DH stated she would have been involved in policy development in this area, and had regular meetings with the policy team to deliver a brief for the Secretary of State, but that it does not deem this to be sensitive information. DH confirmed she does not hold any commercially sensitive information. The Committee also recognised that approximately seven months had passed since she left ministerial office.

However, the Committee recognised that, although she does not intend to have contact with Government in this role, there may be a risk that Push Doctor could gain an unfair advantage as a result of Mrs Blackwood-Bate’s contacts gained across Government/Whitehall. DH stated departmental officials are due to meet with Push Doctor in the coming weeks. Whilst the Committee notes this was arranged before she joined the company, it brought Mrs Blackwood-Bate’s attention to the conditions imposed.

The Committee advised 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 persons or organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to her as a Minister; and
• for two years from her last day in Crown service, she should not involve herself in work on or advice to Push Doctor Limited or its partners or clients, in relation to the terms, or with regard to the subject matter of, bids or contracts relating directly to the work of the UK Government and its arms-length bodies; and
• for two years from her last day in Crown service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Push Doctor Limited or its partners or clients 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 Push Doctor Limited or its partners or clients.

The letter containing the final decision was sent in February 2018 and the appointment was announced shortly after.

6. Senior Adviser at Global Counsel Consulting Ltd (Global Counsel)

Mrs Blackwood-Bate sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with Global Counsel.

The letter containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in April 2018. The appointment was announced shortly after.

7. Honorary Professor, Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy at University College London.

Mrs Blackwood-Bate sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with University College London.

The letter containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in June 2018. The appointment was announced shortly after.