Decision

Summary of business appointments - Ed Vaizey

Updated 7 February 2018

Ed Vaizey left his role as Minister of State for Digital and Culture in July 2016.

1. Consultant, LionTree Europe

Mr Vaizey sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a part-time, paid role as a consultant with LionTree Europe.

The Committee noted that Mr Vaizey would work with LionTree to understand emerging trends and developments in the UK and European technology, media and telecommunications sectors. This would involve hosting or attending seminars, events and conferences, as well as writing articles for LionTree publications. It would not involve any contact with his former Departments or with Government more generally.

When considering this application the Committee took into account that as Minister for Digital and Culture Mr Vaizey worked with the telecommunications, technology and media sectors and had occasional meetings with city analysts from the banking sector to discuss telecommunications. He met LionTree three times this year on official business, in January, February and June.

The Committee consulted the Department for Culture Media and Sport and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Industrial Strategy about the appointment. They confirmed that Mr Vaizey had not been involved in any wider mergers and takeovers discussions that would have included commercially sensitive information that could give LionTree an advantage.

However, given that Mr Vaizey was involved in the development of Government policy on broadband and digital, the Committee considered that a three-month waiting period would be appropriate, before taking up this role.

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:

• A three-month waiting period from his last day in Ministerial office;
• He should not draw on any privileged information available to him as a Minister;
• For two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of LionTree Europe or its parent company LionTree LLC.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Vaizey in September 2016 and he took up the role in December.

2. Chair of Advisory Board, Creative Fuse North East

Ed Vaizey approached the Committee for advice about taking up an unpaid role as Chair of the Advisory Board of Creative Fuse North East (CFNE).

The Committee noted that CFNE is a research project, which will explore how the creative, digital and IT (CDIT) sector in the North East can be developed in order to play a leading role in the region’s economy. It is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and five universities (Newcastle, Northumbria, Durham, Sunderland and Teesside).

When considering this application the Committee was mindful that as Culture Minister Mr Vaizey had considerable engagement and involvement with the creative, digital and IT sector. It took into account that while the Department for Business, Enterprise and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is the sponsor department for the Arts and Humanities Research Council, which funds CFNE, Mr Vaizey had no role in the decision to award funding to the project.

The Committee also took into consideration that Mr Vaizey expects to be involved with communicating the findings of the report produced by CFNE to Government, but that the research will be freely and publicly available to other researchers and projects. The Committee consulted DCMS and BEIS, which had no concerns about the role.

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

• He should not draw on any privileged information available to him as a Minister;
• For two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Creative Fuse North East or its partner organisations. This is not intended to prevent him reporting to Government on the activities of Creative Fuse North East but it would prevent him from making use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government and/or Crown service to influence policy or secure funding on their behalf.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Vaizey in November 2016 and he took up the role in December.

3. Chairman of the Advisory Board, International eGames Committee; Trustee, BRITDOC Charitable Trust; Trustee, National Youth Theatre of Great Britain

Mr Vaizey sought the Committee’s advice about positions with the International eGames Committee; BRITDOC Charitable Trust and National Youth Theatre of Great Britain (NYT).

When considering this application the Committee took into account that Government has no direct relationship with any of these organisations. It noted that while DCMS is supportive of the aims of the eGames Committee, it does not have a formal relationship with the Committee, and is not funding it or its activities. While NYT receives funding through the Arts Council England (an arms length body of DCMS) as one of their national portfolio organisations, and receives around £300k per annum, DCMS does not decide whether NYT should be funded or by how much.

The Committee consulted DCMS and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Industrial Strategy, which had no concerns about these appointments.

The Committee emphasised the lobbying ban set out below which precludes Mr Vaizey from directly approaching Government to influence policy or secure funding on behalf of these organisations.

Taking into account the specific facts in this case, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advised the appointments be subject to the following conditions:

• He should not draw on any privileged information available to him as a Minister;
• For two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the International eGames Committee; BRITDOC or the National Youth Theatre, or make use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government and/or Crown service to influence policy or secure funding on behalf of these organisations.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Vaizey in October 2016. He took up the roles with BRITDOC and NYT in November and the role with the eGames Committee in January 2017.

4. Member of the Advisory Board, The Sunday Times Short Story Award

Mr Vaizey sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a part-time, unpaid position with The Sunday Times Short Story Award.

When considering this application the Committee took into account that as the Minister of State for Culture, Media and Sport, this appointment is related to the area for which Mr Vaizey had responsibility whilst in office, but that it had been eight months since he left his position. It also noted that Mr Vaizey stated he had no contact with the Sunday Times Short Story Award while in office, and that the role will not involve any contact with Government.

The Committee consulted DCMS and BEIS, who had no concerns about these appointments.

The Committee advised that, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, this appointment 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 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 the Sunday Times Short Story Award or make use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government and/or Crown service to secure funding on behalf of the Sunday Times Short Story Award.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Vaizey in March 2017 and he took up this role in May.

5. President of the Advisory Board, British Esports Association Limited

Mr Vaizey sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a part-time, paid position with the British Esports Association (the Esports Association).

The Esports Association is the national body for esports and competitive video gaming, which has recently applied for charitable status.

The Committee noted that whilst DCMS confirmed it is supportive of the aims of the Esports Association, both DCMS and BEIS stated there is no formal relationship with the Esports Association; nor did Mr Vaizey have access to commercially sensitive information whilst in office. DCMS confirmed that Mr Vaizey did have a meeting while in office with Chester King, Founder of the Esports Association (who is also the CEO of the International eGames Committee, from which Mr Vaizey is standing down).

The Committee also took into account that it is likely that this role will include some contact with Government, in particular as DCMS has an interest in the sector. Further, the Department for International Trade, may attend board meetings at the Esports Association as an observer; and the Department for Education may be contacted as a result of the Esports Association’s desire to work with academics from various universities.

The Committee also took into account that DCMS and BEIS have no concerns about this appointment.

The Committee advised that, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, Mr Vaizey’s appointment with the Esports Association 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 as a Minister;
• he should not involve himself in any work that relates to applying for, or securing, charitable status on behalf of the British Esports Association Limited; and
• for two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the British Esports Association Limited or their partners. This is not intended to prevent him from reporting to Government on the activities of the British Esports Association Limited, or from advising the UK Government in relation to esports when the UK Government has asked for such advice. However, it would prevent him from making use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government to influence policy or secure funding on behalf of the British Esports Association Limited.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Vaizey in May 2017 and he later took up this role.

6. Adviser, International Group Management

Mr Vaizey sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a part-time, paid position with International Group Management.

The Committee noted that, as with Mr Vaizey’s previous application to join the Esports Association, DCMS and BEIS confirmed he had no previous, official dealings with IGM itself; though he had previous contact with Chester King in relation to Esports. DCMS also confirmed that he has no commercially sensitive information. Neither department raised any concerns about this appointment.

When considering this application, the Committee also took into account that Mr Vaizey said is unlikely the role would include contact with Government. However, one of his responsibilities at International Group Management will be to represent it on the Advisory Board of the Esports Association. From Mr Vaizey’s previous application, The Committees recognises that DCMS and DIT may be present as observers at the Esports Association meetings and therefore, he may have indirect contact with Government.

The Committee advised that, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, this appointment 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 as a Minister; and
• for two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of International Group Management Limited, its parent company, (International Group) or its partners. This is not intended to prevent him from reporting to Government in his capacity as President of the Advisory Board of the Esports Association, or from advising the UK Government in that capacity in relation to esports when the UK Government has asked for such advice. However, it would prevent him from making use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government to influence policy or secure funding on behalf of the British Esports Association Limited or International Group Management Limited, its parent company or its partners.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Vaizey in May 2017 and he later took up this role.

7. Judge, Indigo Index Prize

Mr Vaizey sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a part-time, unpaid position with the Indigo Index Prize (IIP).

Mr Vaizey was asked to be a member of the Judging Panel for the IIP by Mikhail Fridman, Chairman of a company called LetterOne. The Indigo Index refers to the Indigo Score, a measure by which countries can be assessed to determine how successful a country is. LetterOne makes major investments in technology and Mr Fridman developed the IIP as part of his work on looking further at the impact that digital transformation is making to economies, and how to better measure the conditions in which tech businesses can thrive.

The Committee noted that this application, whilst connected to LetterOne, is solely related to becoming a judge for IIP. Further, the Committee noted that Mr Vaizey stated he is unlikely to have contact with Government as part of his role and that he had no official dealings with this organisation whilst he was in Ministerial office. This was confirmed by DCMS, who also confirmed he has no commercially sensitive information that could be perceived to give LetterOne an unfair advantage. DCMS has no no concerns about him taking up this role.

The Committee also took into account that BEIS confirmed that the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), (which has now merged with BEIS,) did have some dealings with a business unit at LetterOne though these discussions were held with the Executive Chair of the business unit (L1 Energy) and not Mr Fridman; further BEIS confirmed it has no ongoing relationship with the organisation, and that it has no concerns about the appointment.

The Committee advised that, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, Mr Vaizey’s appointment 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 as a Minister; and
• for two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the Indigo Index Prize or LetterOne, its entities, or its partners, or make use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government to influence policy or secure funding on behalf of the Indigo Index Prize or LetterOne, its entities, or its partners.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Vaizey in May 2017 and he later took up this role.

Baroness Helen Liddell recused herself from this application.

8. Adviser, Digital Theatre Plus

Mr Vaizey sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a part-time, paid role with Digital Theatre Plus (Digital Theatre).

Digital Theatre records theatre plays and supporting materials and distributes them online to schools, colleges, universities and other consumers around the world. Mr Vaizey told the Committee that as an Adviser at Digital Theatre, his role will be to help build relationships with theatre producers, and whilst it expands, help to build its repertoire, for example ballet or museum exhibitions. He does not expect to have contact with Government in this role.

The Committee noted Mr Vaizey did had previous contact with Digital Theatre, and its parent company, Big Clever Learning, to discuss the work of the organisations. However, DCMS confirmed these discussions were general in nature and there is no evidence to suggest that Digital Theatre benefited as a result. Further, both DCMS and BEIS confirmed they have no ongoing relationship with Digital Theatre. As such, it does not seem it could be reasonably be perceived he was offered this role as a reward for decisions made whilst in office.

DCMS and BEIS confirmed Mr Vaizey had no access to sensitive information. Further, the Committee noted that 13 months had passed since he left office. However, as DCMS confirmed the organisation had contacted them to discuss the Digital Culture Project and the Committee recognised the potential for Digital Theatre to be seen to benefit from contacts Mr Vaizey gained while in Government. Whilst the Committee recognised that Mr Vaizey does not expect to have contact with Government in his role, it imposed a condition which prevents his involvement in the discussions Digital Theatre expects to have with Government on the Digital Culture Project. Further, the lobbying ban makes clear that any use of contacts to influence policy or to secure any future funding, would be inappropriate.

The Committee advised that, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, Mr Vaizey’s appointment 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 as a Minister;
• he should not involve himself in any future discussions or dealings Digital Theatre Plus has with Government, including its potential contact with DCMS about the Digital Culture Project; and
• for two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Digital Theatre Plus, its parent company, entities, or partners, or make use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government to influence policy or secure funding on behalf of Digital Theatre Plus, its parent company, entities, or partners.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Vaizey in August 2017 and the role was taken up in September 2017.

9. Member of Advisory Board, NEC Europe Ltd (NEC)

Mr Vaizey sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a part-time, paid role with NEC Europe Ltd (NEC) as a member of its Advisory Board.

NEC Europe is the regional headquarters of the parent company NEC, an electronics company, headquartered in Japan, which is a multinational provider of IT services and products.

Mr Vaizey told the Committee his role will be to: provide and make recommendations to the Management of NEC Europe Ltd to expand the Public Safety & Public IT Service Businesses; oversee and provide advice on the business strategies that are associated with the Public Safety & Public IT Service businesses; make recommendations for pursuing specific opportunities; and advise NEC on future trends. He does not expect to have contact with Government in this role.

When considering the application, the Committee noted DCMS’ confirmation that Mr Vaizey met with NEC Europe whilst in office to discuss DCMS policy responsibilities where NEC Europe has an interest, but this was a one-off meeting. The Committee also noted both DCMS and BEIS confirmed they do not have a relationship with NEC Europe and they raised no concerns about Mr Vaizey taking up this role. As such, the Committee considered there is little risk that actions or decisions made in office were in expectation of being offered this role.

The Committee noted that NEC Europe’s work is related to areas for which Mr Vaizey had responsibility whilst in office. However, DCMS and BEIS confirmed Mr Vaizey did not have access to information which would give NEC Europe an unfair advantage over its competitors; and the Committee noted that approximately 18 months had passed since Mr Vaizey left ministerial office- reducing the potential risk that NEC Europe or its parent company might gain an unfair advantage as a result of any specific knowledge gained from his time in office. However, the Committee imposed conditions to mitigate any potential risk of unfair advantage as a result of the contacts Mr Vaizey gained as a Minister.

The Committee advised that, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, Mr Vaizey’s appointment 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 as a Minister; and
• for two years from his last day in Crown service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of NEC Europe Ltd or its parent company, partners or subsidiaries, nor should he make use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government and/or Crown service to influence policy or secure business on behalf of NEC Europe Ltd or its parent company, partners or subsidiaries.

The Committee wrote its advice letter to Mr Vaizey in January 2018 and the role was taken up later that month.