Decision

Summary of business appointments applications - Rt Hon Sir Hugo Swire

Updated 20 June 2018

Sir Hugo Swire left his role as Minister of State at FCO in July 2016.

1. Non-Executive Director, ATG Airports Ltd

Sir Hugo sought the Committee’s advice about taking up an appointment as Non-Executive Director of ATG Airports Ltd, an airport technology and systems company.

The Committee noted that this is a paid role, amounting to 8 days’ work per year.

When considering this application, the Committee took into account that Sir Hugo had no ministerial responsibility for the sector in which the company operates, he had no official dealings with the company during his last two years in office and his role is not likely to require any contact or dealings with Government. The Committee also took into account that his former Department had no concerns about the appointment and that twelve months had passed since his last day in office.

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

• that 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 service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of ATG Airports Ltd.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Sir Hugo in July 2017. He subsequently took up the appointment.

2. Senior Adviser, Apiro

Sir Hugo sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a paid appointment as a member of the advisory board of Apiro, an investment company.

When considering this application the Committee took into account that Sir Hugo had no official dealings with Apiro or their competitors whilst in office; had no access to any commercially sensitive information about their competitors; and that this role would not include any contact with Government. They also took into account that Sir Hugo’s former department had no concerns about the appointment.

The Committee advised Sir Hugo that the appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• that 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 Government; 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 Apiro Capital or its clients.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Sir Hugo in November 2016. He subsequently took up the appointment.

3. Advisor, KIS (France)

Sir Hugo sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a paid, part-time appointment as an advisor to KIS (France), a manufacturer of photo booths and mini labs.

When considering this application the Committee noted that KIS (France) is a subsidiary of Photo-Me plc, which Sir Hugo was previously associated with when the Conservative Party was in opposition, as non-executive Chairman.

The Committee took into account that Sir Hugo’s role with KIS is not likely to include any contact with Government and his former department raised no concerns about it.

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 as a Minister; 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 KIS (France), its parent company Photo-Me plc or any other subsidiaries of the parent company.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Sir Hugo in October 2016 and he took up the role in November.

4. Deputy Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC)

Sir Hugo sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a paid, part-time appointment as Deputy Chairman at CWEIC - an international organisation promoting trade between Commonwealth countries.

As Deputy Chairman, the role would include attending four Board meetings a year, conferences and other meetings related to CWEIC in order to promote their activities.

The Committee took into account that the role would not involve lobbying the UK Government and that Sir Hugo’s former department, the FCO, has no objections to the appointment.

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 Government; 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 Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Sir Hugo in November 2016 and he took up the role later that month.

5. Partner, Eaglesham Investments Ltd

Sir Hugo sought the Committee’s advice about his intended role in creating a company (Eaglesham Investments Ltd) with the intention of investing - concentrating mainly on developing renewable energy projects.

The Committee noted Sir Hugo’s former department confirmed he had responsibility for Economic Diplomacy, as Secretary of State at the FCO; and he did not have responsibility for renewable energy while in office. Further the Committee took into account the FCO’s confirmation it is unaware of any particular involvement Sir Hugo had with the sector whilst in office; and it had checked with the renewable energy team at DIT - which also raised no issues of concern in relation to this application.

The Committee also took into consideration that the role is unlikely to involve any contact with Government and nine months had passed since Sir Hugo’s last day in office.

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

• that 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;
• for two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Eaglesham Investments Ltd or make use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government and/or Crown service to influence policy or secure business on behalf of Eaglesham Investments Ltd or its partners; and
• he should make a further application to the Committee in the event that the nature of the business Eaglesham Investments Ltd proposes to take on should change, including where it is not related to renewable energy projects.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Sir Hugo in April 2017.

6. Chairman, the British Honey Company (BHC)

Sir Hugo sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a paid appointment as Chairman at BHC.

The Committee noted Sir Hugo’s former department has no relationship with BHC and that he did not meet with the company during his time in ministerial office. Whilst BHC had some contact with the Department for International Trade, this was specifically with its International Trade Advisors and in line with their usual role in supporting small businesses.

The Committee also considered this appointment was unrelated to Sir Hugo’s time as a Minister; and that it had been approximately 19 months since he left ministerial office.

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 Government; 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 British Honey Company Ltd or its partners.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Sir Hugo in February 2018 and he took up the role in March 2018.