Decision

Advice letter: Michael Parsons, Bursar, Christ's College, Cambridge

Published 19 July 2021

BUSINESS APPOINTMENT APPLICATION: Michael Parsons, Christ’s College Cambridge

The Committee has been asked to consider an application for Michael Parsons, former Director General for Government Property. His last day in service will be 30 June 2021.

1. Application details

Mr Parsons sought advice on taking a role with a paid, full-time role with Christ’s College, Cambridge (CCC) as its Bursar. He stated that his role will be the College’s Chief Administrative Officer and member of the College Fellowship.

Mr Parsons stated that as Director General at the Cabinet Officer, he had no contact with CCC. He confirmed that he had no direct involvement in any commercial dealings regarding the college. He also confirmed he did not have access to policy information or commercially sensitive information on competitors of the organisation while in post.

The Cabinet Office provided its views on this application. It confirmed Mr Parsons detail and stated he did not have access to sensitive information, meet the college whilst in office or make decisions that would have affected CCC whilst in office.

2. The Committee’s Consideration

The Committee^{[footnote 1]} noted that Mr Parsons did not meet with CCC and the department confirmed he did not make any decisions specific to CCC and there is limited overlap between this role and his time in office. The Committee considered the risk he could be seen to have been offered this role as a reward for decisions made, or actions taken in office, was low.

The Committee noted, there are inherent risks that Mr Parsons will have general access to policy and information that could be perceived to benefit any organisation. There is not however any direct crossover in this role and the Committee would draw Mr Parsons’s attention to the restriction on using privileged information, subject to all former Crown servants on leaving post.

Additionally, there is an inherent risk Mr Parsons may offer an unfair advantage to the organisation in relation to access to the contacts he gained while in service. The lobbying restriction imposed below makes clear that it would be inappropriate for him to use his contacts to the unfair advantage of the organisation. Further, he is prevented from providing advice on bids and contracts with the UK government. However, the Committee noted this was in keeping with his role as described.

The Committee would advise the Prime Minister, under the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, that this appointment with Christ’s College Cambridge 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 in Crown service;

• for two years from his last day in Crown service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK government or its Arms’ Length Bodies on behalf of Christ’s College Cambridge and all its constituent parts (including parent companies, subsidiaries, partners and clients); nor should he make use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in the government and/or Crown service to influence policy, secure business/funding or otherwise unfairly advantage of Christ’s College Cambridge and all its constituent parts (including parent companies, subsidiaries, partners and clients); and

• for two years from his last day in Crown service he should not undertake any work with Christ’s College Cambridge and all its constituent parts (including parent companies, subsidiaries, partners and clients) that involves providing advice on the terms of, or with regard to the subject matter of a bid with, or contract relating directly to the work of, the UK government or its Arms’ Length Bodies.

By ‘privileged information’ we mean official information to which a minister or Crown servant has had access as a consequence of his or her office or employment and which has not been made publicly available. Applicants are also reminded that they may be subject to other duties of confidentiality, whether under the Official Secrets Act, the Civil Service Code or otherwise.

The Business Appointment Rules explain that the restriction on lobbying means that the former Crown servant/minister “should not engage in communication with government (Ministers, civil servants, including special advisers, and other relevant officials/public office holders) – wherever it takes place - with a view to influencing a government decision, policy or contract award/grant in relation to their own interests or the interests of the organisation by which they are employed, or to whom they are contracted or with which they hold office.”

I should be grateful if you would inform us as soon as Mike Parsons takes up this appointment, or if it is announced that he will do so, either by returning the enclosed form or by emailing the office at the above address. We shall otherwise not be able to deal with any enquiries, since we do not release information about appointments that have not been taken up or announced. This could lead to a false assumption being made about whether he has complied with the Rules.

Please also inform us if Mike Parsons proposes to extend or otherwise change the nature of appointment as, depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary for her to make a fresh application.

Once the appointment has been publicly announced or taken up, we will publish this letter on the Committee’s website, and where appropriate, refer to it in the relevant annual report.

1. This application for advice was considered by Jonathan Baume; Andrew Cumpsty; Isabel Doverty; Sarah de Gay; Dr Susan Liautaud; The Rt Hon Lord Pickles; Richard Thomas; Mike Weir; and Lord Larry Whitty. ↩