Decision

Summary of business appointments applications - Rt Hon George Osborne

Updated 13 June 2018

Rt Hon George Osborne MP left his role as Chancellor of the Exchequer in July 2016.

1. Public speaker, Washington Speakers Bureau

Mr Osborne sought the Committee’s advice about registering with the Washington Speakers Bureau.

The Committee noted that Mr Osborne intends to make speeches on the current political environment.

When giving its advice the Committee took into account that HM Treasury had no concerns about Mr Osborne registering with the Washington Speakers Bureau and taking up employment as a public speaker. The Committee also took into account that, as a former Cabinet Minister, Mr Osborne is subject to a standard three-month waiting period before taking up any outside appointment.

The Committee advised Mr Osborne that it could see no reason why he should not take up this appointment, subject to the following conditions:

• A three-month waiting period from his last day in Ministerial office;
• He should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the persons or organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him from his time as a Minister and;
• For two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the Washington Speakers Bureau or its clients.

The Committee sent its advice letter to Mr Osborne in August 2016 and the appointment was announced that month.

2. Chair, Northern Powerhouse Partnership

Mr Osborne sought the Committee’s advice about becoming Chair of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (a part-time, unpaid role), which he launched on 16 September.

The Committee wrote to Mr Osborne and noted with concern that he sought advice on this appointment after the launch of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. The Committee advised it is unable to offer retrospective advice on appointments that have already been announced.

The Committee noted that Mr Osborne’s former Department and the Department for Communities and Local Government had no concerns about the appointment. It drew Mr Osborne’s attention to the normal restriction it would impose prohibiting the misuse of privileged information obtained while in public office. It also noted that in seeking to promote economic development in the North of England, this role will involve some dealings with Government. However, it would expect Mr Osborne to refrain from making use, directly or indirectly, of privileged access derived from his role as a Minister to influence Government policy on behalf of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership.

The Committee also reminded Mr Osborne that advice should be sought on all appointments, paid or unpaid, before they are taken up or announced.

The letter containing the Committee’s views was sent in October 2016.

3. Advisor, Blackrock Investment Institute

Mr Osborne sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a role as an Advisor at Blackrock Investment Institute.

The Committee noted that Mr Osborne’s role will involve speaking at client conferences and advising on developments in the global economy.

When giving its advice, the Committee noted that Mr Osborne had some contact with Blackrock to discuss the general economic situation and HM Treasury had confirmed that whilst he was responsible for general policy that would have affected the asset management industry, none of the decisions from his time in office were specific to Blackrock.

The Committee also took into account that Mr Osborne’s contract would state he will not be involved in any work with the UK Government; almost seven months had passed since his time in office; and HM Treasury had no concerns about Mr Osborne taking up this appointment.

The Committee advised Mr Osborne that, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the appointment should be subject to the following conditions:

• he should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the persons or organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him from his time as a Minister and;
• for two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Blackrock Investment Institute or any part of the Blackrock Group or its clients.

The Committee sent its advice letter to Mr Osborne in January 2017 and the appointment was announced in the same month.

4. Kissinger Fellow, McCain Institute for International Leadership, University of Arizona

Mr Osborne sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment with the McCain Institute for International Leadership at the University of Arizona as a Kissinger Fellow.

The Committee noted that this part-time, paid role would involve giving lectures and participating in seminars.

When considering this application the Committee took into account that Mr Osborne had no contact with the University or any of its American competitors during his time in Government. It also took into account that the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury had no concerns about the appointment.

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 from his time in ministerial office; and
• for two years from his last day in ministerial office he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the University.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Osborne in January 2017 and the role was announced later the same month.

5. Editor, London Evening Standard

Mr Osborne sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment as Editor of the Evening Standard.

The Committee stated in its letter that it considered it to be a matter of regret that Mr Osborne’s appointment as Editor was announced by the Evening Standard before the Committee had an opportunity to make the necessary enquiries, consider the application, and provide its advice. The Committee also made clear that it was very concerned that he subsequently signed a contract of employment with the Evening Standard without having received the Committee’s advice. The Committee stated that this was not appropriate and was not in compliance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules (the Rules), which state that former Ministers ‘must abide by the advice of the Committee.’

The Committee’s detailed consideration of this application is included in its letter of 28 April 2017.

The Committee concluded that there is no evidence to suggest that decisions Mr Osborne took in office were made in contemplation of this appointment. Furthermore, under the Rules, the Committee can advise that certain conditions should be imposed to mitigate the potential risk of Mr Osborne’s time in office providing the Evening Standard with an unfair advantage. Therefore, 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 (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the organisation to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him from his time in ministerial office;

• he should, as indicated to the Committee, immediately obtain an amendment of his contract to ensure that his employment by the Evening Standard is subject to the above condition and confirm to the Committee that such an amendment has been made;

• he should have no contact with Government on matters relating to press regulation; and

• for two years from his last day in ministerial office he should not become personally involved in lobbying the Government on behalf of the Evening Standard or its parent company ESI Media, or with regard to matters with which they are concerned; or make use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government to influence policy or secure business on behalf of the Evening Standard or ESI Media or with regard to matters with which they are concerned.

Mark Addison recused himself from this application.

6. Honorary Professor of Economics, University of Manchester

Mr Osborne sought the Committee’s advice about taking up the role as Honorary Professor of Economics with University of Manchester.

The Committee took into account Mr Osborne’s description of the role: that it is unpaid; he would not be an employee; it involves no particular obligations; the appointment would be for three years; and it is not likely to include any contact or dealings with Government.

In considering the application the Committee noted that Mr Osborne visited the University on a number of occasions whilst Chancellor. It also noted he had pledged a £50m fund for graphene research in 2011, £38m of which was used to set up the Graphene Research Institute at the University.

The Committee also sought the views of the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, who had no concerns about this position.

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 from his time in ministerial office; and
• for two years from his last day in ministerial office he should not become personally involved in lobbying the Government on behalf of any part of the University of Manchester or any faculty or institute of the University. Neither should he make use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government to influence policy or secure business or funding on their behalf.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Osborne in June 2017 and the role was announced later the same month.

Mark Addison recused himself from this application.

7. Visiting research fellow, Stanford University

Mr Osborne asked for the Committee’s advice about accepting an appointment with Stanford University in California as a visiting research fellow.

The role would be part-time and paid, giving lectures and participating in seminars. He would be lecturing at Stanford Business School and Hoover Institution at Stanford.

The Committee noted that he had no contact with the University or any of its American competitors during his time as a Minister. The Committee also sought the views of the Permanent Secretary to Her Majesty’s Treasury, who has no concerns about this appointment.

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 (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the organisation to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him from his time in ministerial office; and
• for two years from his last day in ministerial office he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Stanford University.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Osborne in November 2016 and the role was announced in September 2017.

8. Advisory Board Chair, Exor NV

Mr Osborne sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment as chair of a new advisory board to be created by Exor NV.

The letter containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in May 2017. The appointment was announced in May 2018.

9. Patron, SHINE

Mr Osborne sought the Committee’s advice about becoming a patron of SHINE, a charity that supports educational programmes for children from economically deprived areas of England.

Mr Osborne stated that the appointment is unpaid and will involve no commitments. He explained that he had no dealings with the charity as Chancellor and was clear that he would not have contact with Government in connection with his position as patron.

The Committee approached the Permanent Secretary to HM Treasury about the role. His office confirmed that the Department has no connection to SHINE and that whilst Mr Osborne was responsible for general policy decisions that would have affected the charity sector, none of the decisions from his time in office were specific to SHINE. He has no concerns about this appointment.

The Committee concluded there was no basis for viewing this appointment as a reward for decisions made in office, as it is an unpaid position and he said he had no dealings with the charity as Chancellor. The information provided by HM Treasury supports this conclusion.

Given the nature of this role; Mr Osborne’s confirmation the appointment will not involve contact with Government; and 17 months had passed since he left office - the Committee considered there was little risk he could be seen to afford SHINE an unfair advantage through improper use of official information or contacts in Government.

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 (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the organisation to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him from his time in Ministerial office; and

• for two years from his last day in Ministerial office he should not become personally involved in lobbying the Government on behalf of SHINE.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Osborne in December 2017 and the role has since been announced.

Mark Addison recused himself from this application.