Policy paper

Public appointments diversity action plan

Inclusive and diverse boards are more effective, better able to understand their customers and stakeholders, and benefit from fresh perspectives, new ideas, vigorous challenge and broad experience.

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

Documents

Public Appointments Diversity Action Plan 2019

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Public Appointments Diversity Action Plan 2019 - easy read version

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Public Appointments Diversity Stocktake 2018

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Details

In its Public Appointments Diversity Action Plan published in 2017, the government committed to commissioning a review of the barriers preventing disabled people taking up public appointments on the boards of our public bodies. Lord Holmes of Richmond carried out this review and reported back with his recommendations in December 2018

Lord Holmes’ review focused on disabled people but many of his recommendations would help all under-represented groups apply for, and be successful in, public appointments. In its response, the government accepts the principles of all Lord Holmes’ recommendations, which underpin the commitments in its refreshed Public Appointments Diversity Action Plan 2019.

Diversity in the public appointments we make provides access to knowledge and experience from sectors beyond government. It also makes good sense to be drawing from the widest pool of potential talent for these demanding roles.

Appointments are advertised on the HM Government Public Appointments Website, are made by or on behalf of government ministers, and are subject to a fair, open and transparent recruitment process overseen and scrutinised by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

The Public Appointments Data Report 2018/19 provides a diversity breakdown of public appointees.

Updates to this page

Published 14 December 2017
Last updated 22 July 2020 + show all updates
  1. Updated with link to Public Appointments Data Report 2018/19

  2. Added easy read DAP

  3. Updated text and Diversity Action Plan

  4. First published.

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