Decision

Summary of business appointments applications - Tina Stowell

Updated 24 January 2018

Baroness Stowell of Beeston left her role as Leader of the House of Lords in July 2016.

1. Non-Executive Director, ABTA Ltd.

Baroness Stowell asked for the Committee’s advice about taking up a position as a non-executive director at ABTA Ltd.

The Committee took into consideration that Baroness Stowell wished to take up a paid, part-time role with ABTA, involving one day per month and it is not likely to include any contact or dealings with Government.

The Committee also noted that Baroness Stowell stated she had no contact with ABTA Ltd or its competitors during her last two years in office; the Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office has no concerns about the appointment; and that nearly a year has passed since Baroness Stowell left Ministerial office.

In accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised the appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• that she should not draw on any privileged information available to her as a Minister; and
• for two years from her last day in Ministerial office, she should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of ABTA Ltd or its members, nor should she make use, directly or indirectly, of her Government and/or Crown service contacts to influence policy or secure funding on their behalf.

The Committee sent its advice letter in June 2017 and Baroness Stowell took up the appointment later that month.

2. Trustee Director, Crimestoppers

Baroness Stowell asked for the Committee’s advice about taking up a position as a Trustee Director of Crimestoppers, the charity that assists law-enforcement agencies in combating crime.

Baroness Stowell informed the Committee this would involve being a member of the Board of Trustees and being registered at Companies House as a director of Crimestoppers Ltd. The Committee noted this is an unpaid, part-time role, involving one day per month and it is not likely to include any contact or dealings with Government.

The Committee also took into account that Baroness Stowell advised she had no contact with Crimestoppers during her last two years in office; and that the Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office has no concerns about the appointment.

In accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advises the appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• that she should not draw on any privileged information available to her as a Minister; and
• for two years from her last day in Ministerial office, she should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Crimestoppers.

The Committee sent its advice letter in June 2017 and Baroness Stowell took up the appointment the following month.

3. Non-Executive Director, Impellam Group Plc

Baroness Stowell asked for the Committee’s advice about taking up a position as a Non-Executive Director at Impellam Group Plc, a staffing company, which provides managed services and specialist staff expertise primarily in the UK, Europe, Asia Pacific and North America.

The Committee noted that this is a paid, part-time role as a member of the main Board, with a time commitment of one day per month. The Board will be responsible for corporate governance within the Group.

When considering the application the Committee took into account that Baroness Stowell had no contact with Impellam Group during her last two years in office as Leader of the House of Lords (or in her Ministerial positions previous to that); and that the appointment is not likely to include any contact or dealings with Government.

The Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office was contacted about this appointment. He confirmed that Government (Department for Work and Pensions and Health Education England) has a working relationship with Impellam Group, but that Baroness Stowell had no involvement in issues relating to this company in her capacity as Leader of the House of Lords. The Permanent Secretary had no concerns about the appointment.

Taking into account these factors, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised the appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• that she should not draw on any privileged information available to her from her time in Ministerial office; and
• for two years from her last day in Ministerial office, she should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Impellam Group Plc, its subsidiaries or its partners. She should not make use, directly or indirectly, of her contacts in Government to influence policy or secure business on behalf of Impellam Group Plc, its subsidiaries or its partners.

The Committee sent its advice letter in July 2017 and the appointment was announced in October 2017.

4. Speaker, JLA

Baroness Stowell sought the Committee’s advice on registering with JLA as a speaker on contemporary politics and social issues.

When considering the application the Committee took into account that Baroness Stowell had no dealings with the bureau while in office and that she envisaged no contact with her former department or government more generally. The Committee consulted the Cabinet Office, which had no concerns about Baroness Stowell registering as a speaker with JLA.

Taking into account these factors, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised the appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• that she should not draw on any privileged information available to her from her time in Ministerial office; and
• for two years from her last day in Ministerial office, she should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of JLA or its clients.

The Committee sent its advice letter in August 2017 and Baroness Stowell registered with JLA in October 2017.

5. Trustee, Transformation Trust

Baroness Stowell sought the Committee’s advice on taking up an appointment with Transformation Trust on the Board of Trustees. She explained the Board’s role is to approve the charity’s strategy and budget; monitor performance against its stated charitable purposes and strategic objectives; and ensure compliance with all appropriate legislation and regulations as they apply to a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. She said this role will be unpaid and part-time and that it is unlikely to include contact with Government.

Transformation Trust is an education charity, which aims to provide opportunities to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. It works with pupils from challenged schools and through various projects, offers the pupils the chance to develop employability skills.

Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary, John Manzoni, confirmed that Government does have a relationship with Transformation Trust. He also stated Baroness Stowell had no relevant responsibilities or relationships with the charity in her capacity as Leader of the House of Lords. No concerns were raised about this appointment.

Taking into account these factors, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised the appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• she should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of herself or the persons or organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to her from her time in Ministerial office; and
• for two years from her last day in Ministerial office, she should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Transformation Trust or its partners. She should not make use, directly or indirectly, of her contacts in Government to influence policy or secure funding on behalf of Transformation Trust or its partners.

The Committee sent its advice letter in August 2017 and Baroness Stowell took up this appointment in January 2018.