Summary of business appointments applications - Katie Perrior
Published 23 August 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/perrior-katie-director-of-communications-number-10-acoba-recommendation/summary-of-business-appointments-applications-katie-perrior
Katie Perrior left her role as Director of Communications at No.10 in April 2017
1. Chair, iNHouse Communications
Ms Perrior sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment as Chair of iNHouse Communications, a communications agency.
When considering the application, the Committee noted that Ms Perrior co-owned iNHouse Commuications for ten years before she entered Government, but that she does not wish to return to her previous position and instead sought advice to take up a role in which she would help streamline the business and improve its performance.
The Committee also took into account that Ms Perrior was offered this role by her previous business partner after she had resigned from Government, and that it is unlikely that her position will include contact or dealings with Government. Further, the Committee considered the Cabinet Office’s view on the appointment - that iNHouse Communications had no government contracts during Ms Perrior’s employment as a Special Adviser and that the department has no concerns about the application, subject to the conditions set out below.
The Permanent Secretary accepted the Committee’s advice that, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the appointment be made 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 Government on behalf of INHouse Communication or its subsidiaries or clients, nor should she make use, directly or indirectly, of her Government and/or Crown service contacts to influence policy or secure business on their behalf.
The letter containing the final decision was sent in June 2017 and the appointment was taken up later that month.
2. Strategic Adviser, GFG Alliance
Ms Perrior sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment as a Strategic Adviser to the Board of GFG Alliance.
When considering the application, the Committee noted that Ms Perrior’s role will include advising on branding, online activity and media engagement. She will also become involved in helping grow the GFG Foundation, which will offer young people new skills through bursaries/ grants, and funding for work experience or mentoring.
The Committee also took into account that Ms Perrior had some dealings with GFG Alliance while she was in Government, relating to media appearances, and had previous contact with the team through her 20 years as a worker within the Conservative party. However, Ms Perrior has said that the position is not likely to include contact or dealings with Government. The Committee also considered the views of the Cabinet Office, which has no concerns about the application, subject to the conditions set out below.
The Permanent Secretary accepted the Committee’s advice that, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the appointment be made 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 Government on behalf of GFG Alliance or its subsidiaries, nor should she make use, directly or indirectly, of her Government and/or Crown service contacts to influence policy or secure business on their behalf.
The letter containing the final decision was sent in June 2017 and the appointment was taken up later that month.
3. Media Commentary
Ms Perrior sought advice from the Committee on carrying out ad hoc media commentary work with radio, TV and newspapers relating to the General Election.
When considering the application, the Committee noted that Ms Perrior stated that this is unpredictable work and there are no contracts or long-term commitments involved.
The Committee also took into account that as Director of Communications at No.10, Ms Perrior had regular contact with these media organisations and others, as she was often their main point of contact. News UK, the parent company of The Times, previously sponsored some events Ms Perrior ran at her communications consultancy firm, prior to her appointment at No.10. The Committee also noted the views of the Cabinet Office, which has no reservations about this work, subject to the conditions set out below.
The Permanent Secretary accepted the Committee’s advice that, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the appointment be made 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 Government on behalf of her clients.
The letter containing the final decision was sent in June 2017 and she took up the work straight away.
4. Columnist, The Times
Ms Perrior sought advice from the Committee about taking up a role at The Times as a Columnist.
The Committee noted that Ms Perrior is proposing to take up a more permanent role as a columnist, following the ad hoc work she undertook for the newspaper during the recent General Election. Ms Perrior does not expect to have contact with Government within this role and the Cabinet Office had no reservations about this appointment.
The Committee considered that whilst Ms Perrior would have had dealings with The Times, and its competitors, there is no evidence Ms Perrior was involved in any commercial transactions with The Times whilst at No.10; nor any other evidence to suggest it could have been offered as a reward.
Further, the Committee took into account that Ms Perrior had a senior role at No.10 and therefore would have been privy to sensitive information and would have gained contacts whilst in office. Alongside the restriction on using privileged information, the lobbying ban imposed makes clear that use of such contacts to give The Times an unfair advantage would be inappropriate.
The Permanent Secretary accepted the Committee’s advice that, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the appointment be made subject to the following conditions:
- she should not drawn 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 Government on behalf of The Times or its holding companies or subsidiaries, nor should she make use, directly or indirectly, of her Government and/or Crown service contacts to influence policy or secure business on behalf of The Times, its holding companies or subsidiaries.
The letter containing the final decision was sent in August 2017.