3. Independent Consultancy and commissions

Question

Accepted Answer

Lt Gen Evans sought the Committee’s advice about becoming a Senior NATO Mentor and member of Transparency International’s Defence Corruption Monitoring Committee. He also proposed to set up an independent consultancy and take on commissions with Strategia Worldwide Ltd and Adjuvo.

As a NATO Senior Mentor, Lt Gen Evans would be expected to provide guidance and assistance to NATO High Readiness Force Commanders on courses and exercises in support of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe. This would involve approximately 45 days per annum and starts in January 2017.

Lt Gen Evans had also been asked to join the Defence Corruption Monitoring Committee (DCMC), which is being established by the Transparency International Defence and Security Programme to support the Ukrainian MOD’s progress towards anti-corruption aims. His involvement is both supported by UK MOD and HMG funded. Initially it will require him to attend 2-3 workshops to establish the programme and then quarterly meetings.

The Committee noted that Lt Gen Evans also proposed to set up an independent consultancy, focusing on defence, security, risk management and resilience, counter-terrorism, training, leadership and mentoring.

Under his consultancy, Lt Gen Evans plans to become an associate with Strategia Worldwide Ltd, which specialises in the management of corporate risk using analysis and campaign design and delivery technology.

He may also take on work with Adjuvo, a small private equity company that invests in private companies, usually small start-up firms. He may be asked to provide specific advice or assistance under the terms of his consultancy.

When considering this application the Committee took into account that the MOD panel expressed no concerns about these appointments, subject to a 2-year lobbying ban and a 12-month restriction on providing advice on the terms of any bid or contract relating to the work of the MOD.

The Committee considered Lt Gen Evans’ seniority and the fact that his consultancy would cover areas closely linked to his most recent roles in the MOD, made it appropriate to impose a gap between him leaving the MOD and setting up an independent consultancy.

The Secretary of State for Defence accepted the Committee’s advice that these appointments be subject to the following conditions:

a six-month waiting period from his last day in post (in respect of his consultancy only);
that he should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him from his time in Crown service;
for two years from his last day in Crown service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of any of his clients or those he advises;
for 12 months from his last day of service he 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 the MOD and its Trading Funds; and
for two years from his last day of service, before accepting any new commission he should apply to the Committee. In considering the matter on such further reference, the Committee may seek the views of relevant departments. (If, after enquiry, the Committee takes the view that a commission is, or may be, outside the terms of the consultancy he will be expected to submit a fresh application).

The letter containing the final decision was sent in October 2016. The appointments and consultancy were subsequently taken up.

Summary of business appointment applications - Lt Gen Timothy Evans

1. Senior NATO Mentor

2. Member of Defence Corruption Monitoring Committee, Transparency International