Summary of business appointments applications - Alex Neil
Published 10 January 2017
© Crown copyright 2017
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/neil-alex-cabinet-secretary-for-social-justice-communities-and-pensioners-rights-scottish-government-acoba-recommendation/summary-of-business-appointments-applications-alex-neil
1. Advisory Board Member, Ethx Energy
Alex Neil left his role as Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioner’s Rights in the Scottish Government in May 2016.
Mr Neil sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a paid, part-time appointment as a member of the Advisory Board at Ethx Energy, an energy supply company. His role would not involve contact with Government.
When considering this application the Committee noted that Mr Neil had no dealings with the firm while in office and there is no formal relationship between the organisation and the Scottish Government.
The Committee also took into account that the Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government had no concerns about this appointment. It was mindful that nearly six months had passed since he left ministerial office and relevant policy decisions that he would have been sighted on are now all in the public domain.
Taking into account the specific facts in this case, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised the appointment be subject to the following conditions:
- He should not draw on any privileged information available to him as a Minister;
- For two years from his last day in ministerial office he should not become personally involved in lobbying the Scottish Government on behalf of Ethx Energy or make use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government and/or Crown service to influence policy or secure funding on behalf of Ethx Energy.
- For 12 months from his last day of service he should not provide advice to Ethx Energy on bids or contracts it may make relating directly to the work of the Scottish Government.
The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Neil in October 2016 and he took up the role in December 2016.