Decision

Summary of business appointments applications - Natalie Ceeney

Updated 12 September 2018

Natalie Ceeney left her role as CEO of HM Courts and Tribunal Service in May 2016.

1. Independent Consultancy

Ms Ceeney sought the Committee’s advice about establishing an independent consultancy specialising in business transformation, regulatory compliance in financial services and alternative dispute resolution.

Ms Ceeney has confirmed that her consultancy will not offer any government lobbying services, nor will it offer sales strategies into government. She has undertaken not to engage in any activity involving advising on justice policy as it relates to the courts. She has also provided an assurance that she will not broker any introductions between anyone outside of government and any government policy makers or ministers.

When considering this application the Committee took into account that the Permanent Secretary for the MoJ expressed no concerns in principle about Ms Ceeney establishing an independent consultancy.

The Prime Minister accepted the Committee’s recommendation that there was no reason why Ms Ceeney should not establish this consultancy, subject to the conditions that:

• She should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of herself or the organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to her from her time in Crown service;

• For two years from her last day in Crown service, she should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of any of her clients or those she advises or make use, directly or indirectly, of her contacts in Government and/or Crown service to influence policy or secure business;

• For 12 months from her last day of service she should not undertake any work as a consultant which involves providing advice to any company or organisation on the terms of a bid or contract relating directly to the work of HM Courts and Tribunal Service or the Ministry of Justice; and

• For two years from her last day in Crown service, she should not provide advice on matters on which she was directly involved while in Crown service or with regard to justice policy as it relates to the courts.

The letter containing the final advice was sent in August 2016 and Ms Ceeney started taking on commissions under her consultancy in September.

2. Non Executive Director, Countrywide PLC

Ms Ceeney sought the Committee’s advice on taking up a post as Non Executive Director at Countrywide PLC, an estate agents and property services company.

The Committee took into consideration that this is a paid, part-time role that Ms Ceeney said would cover the responsibilities of a Board Director of a listed company, particularly focused on supporting major technological transformation and change.

The Committee took into account that this role is unrelated to Ms Ceeney’s time in Crown service; Ms Ceeney confirmed she had no contact or official dealings with Countrywide PLC whilst in office; and the role would not require contact with her former department or the wider UK Government. It also took into account that the Ministry of Justice had no concerns about Ms Ceeney taking up this role.

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:

• that 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 service, she should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Countrywide PLC.

The letter containing the final advice was sent in April 2017 and Ms Ceeney took up the role later that month.

3. Chairman, Innovate Finance

Ms Ceeney, sought the Committee’s advice in relation to a paid, part-time appointment with Innovate Finance (Innovate) as Chairman.

Ms Ceeney told the Committee the UK Government was instrumental in establishing Innovate to lead research and policy in this space, and to support the Government in considering ways to help the UK to become more innovative in Financial Services. The Committee noted Government’s role in the initial setting up of Innovate and the support received by HM Treasury when it was launched in 2014.

The Committee took into account that Ms Ceeney had no contact or official dealings with Innovate while she was in post at HM Courts and Tribunals Service; that Innovate has no relationship with her former department - the Ministry of Justice; and it had been almost 10 months since her last day in post.

As part of their consideration the Committee also noted that whilst Ms Ceeney’s role would involve contact with Government in relation to the Fin-Tech sector, it would not involve contact with her former department or on matters specific to her time in post there. The Committee also took into account that the Ministry of Justice had no concerns about role Ms Ceeney is seeking to take up.

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:

• that 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 service, she should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on any matter with which she were directly involved while in Government. This is not intended to prevent her from reporting to Government on the activities of Innovate Finance, or in relation to the Fin-Tech sector. However, she should not make use of, directly or indirectly, her contacts in Government and/or Crown service to influence policy or secure funding on behalf of Innovate Finance.

The letter containing the final advice was sent in April 2017 and Ms Ceeney took up the role the following month.

4. Non-Executive Member of the Board, Anglian Water Services Ltd

Ms Ceeney sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment as a Non-Executive Member of the Board at Anglian Water Services.

The letter containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in April 2018 and Ms Ceeney took up the role the following month.