Decision

Summary of business appointments applications - Sir Peter Westmacott

Updated 31 May 2017

Sir Peter Westmacott left his role as Ambassador to Washington DC in January 2016.

1. Resident Teaching Fellow, John F Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

Sir Peter sought advice about an appointment as a Resident Teaching Fellow for Harvard University’s Institute of Politics, John F Kennedy School of Government.

When considering this application, the Committee noted that the only contact Sir Peter had with Harvard University in his last two years of service was when, at the university’s invitation, he spoke in an official capacity to the Kennedy School of Government in March 2014.

The Committee took into account the fact that, having consulted with Sir Peter’s successor and with the Permanent Secretary, the FCO was content to waive its usual six month moratorium on former Ambassadors returning to their country of last posting for business purposes.

Taking into account the FCO’s view that it would be beneficial for US/UK diplomatic relations for Sir Peter to take up this appointment without delay, and the fact that there are no propriety concerns in this case, the Committee is content to waive the three month waiting period usually applied to Permanent Secretary equivalents.

The Foreign Secretary accepted the Committee’s advice that there was no reason why Sir Peter should not take up this appointment, subject to the following conditions:

• He should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself, or the organisation or person to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him from his time in Crown service; 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 Harvard University or its partners.

The letter containing the final advice was sent in January 2016 and the appointment was announced later that month.

2. Public speaker, Harry Walker Agency

Sir Peter sought advice about taking up an appointment as a public speaker at Harry Walker Agency.

When considering this application, the Committee took into account that the FCO had no reservations regarding this appointment. The Committee noted that Sir Peter had no contractual dealings with the Harry Walker Agency while in post, and was not responsible for anyone who did. Neither did he have access to commercial sensitive information about any of the Harry Walker Agency’s competitors.

The Committee was mindful that, in contrast to the Harvard position where there was a public interest in Sir Peter being permitted to begin the appointment without delay, it would not be appropriate for Sir Peter to take up a business appointment - which in this case would involve publicly expressing his personal views - without a suitable waiting period.

The Foreign Secretary accepted the Committee’s advice that there was no reason why Sir Peter should not take up this appointment, subject to the following conditions:

• For two years from his last day of service he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of his employer;
• He should not draw on privileged information available to him as a Civil Servant;
• A three-month waiting period between his last day of service and taking up this outside appointment.

The letter containing the final advice was sent in January 2016.

3. Speaker, London Speaker Bureau

Sir Peter Westmacott sought the Committee’s advice on joining the London Speaker Bureau as an occasional speaker

The committee noted that Sir Peter would speak to commercial gatherings, usually but not always, off-the-record, about Brexit, transatlantic relations, the US presidential races, Turkey, Iran and diplomacy in general. It was expected to involve one or two days’ work per month.

The Committee noted that this role was unlikely to include any contact or dealings with his former department or government more generally; and Sir Peter’s former department has no reservations about the appointment.

The Foreign Secretary accepted the Committee’s advice, 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 organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him from his time in Crown service; and
• for two years from his last day of service, Sir Peter should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the London Speaker Bureau, or its clients.

The letter containing the final advice was sent in July 2016.

4. Advisory Board Member, Campbell Lutyens

Sir Peter Westmacott sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a role as a member of the advisory board of Campbell Lutyens, a financial services company.

Sir Peter told the Committee his role as a member of the advisory board at Campbell Lutyens will be a paid position, likely involving one day of work per month. The role would include: four board meetings and a few ad hoc conferences and dinners a year; and providing occasional geo-strategic advice.

Sir Peter told the Committee that in his ambassadorial roles he sometimes hosted receptions, at the expense of the firm or association concerned, to promote the UK financial services industry in the United States. He hosted a reception for Campbell Lutyens six years ago, while he was Ambassador in Paris.

The Committee also noted that this role was unlikely to include any contact or dealings with his former department or government more generally; and Sir Peter’s former department has no reservations about the appointment.

The Committee’s advice to the Foreign Secretary was accepted - 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 organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him from his time in Crown service; and
• for two years from his last day of service, Sir Peter should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of Campbell Lutyens or its clients.

The letter containing the final advice was sent in July 2016.

5. Distinguished Ambassadorial Fellow, the Atlantic council

Sir Peter Westmacott sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a role as a distinguished ambassadorial fellow for the Atlantic Council, a US think tank promoting constructive leadership and engagement in international affairs.

Sir Peter explained this role, as a non-resident fellow within the Atlantic Council’s Future Europe Initiative (FEI), would involve taking part in events and conferences, writing occasional papers, and providing expertise on US-UK relations; the future of Europe; Turkey/EU; Iran; and transatlantic relations in general.

The Committee took into account that, while Ambassador to the US, Sir Peter did deal with the Atlantic Council. However, these dealings were in the normal course of business and he had equivalent dealings with a number of other US think tanks; these dealings involved the think tanks providing platforms for visiting HMG officials and Ministers, and hosting UK guests of honour at their gala dinners.

The Committee noted that this role would largely be funded through the Atlantic Council by United Technologies Corporation, a US company. The Committee also took into account that the role will not involve any contact with the Government; and Sir Peter’s former department, the FCO, had no reservations about the appointment.

The Foreign Secretary accepted the Committee’s advice that, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, this appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• Sir Peter should not draw on privileged information available to him as a Crown servant; and
• for two years from his last day of service, Sir Peter should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the Atlantic Council or United Technologies Corporation.

The letter containing the final advice was sent in September 2016.

6. Vice Chairman, Tellus Matrix

Sir Peter Westmacott sought the Committee’s advice about becoming Vice Chairman of the Tellus Matrix Group - an advisory company.

The Committee noted that the Tellus Matrix Group will advise governments, NGOs, institutions, individuals and corporations from around the world. As Vice Chairman, Sir Peter said he will support the business in all areas, providing country-specific knowledge and strategic thinking drawn from his political and diplomatic experience; alongside a leadership and oversight role.

The Committee noted that this role may involve some contact with Ministers, for example by notifying the UK Government of particular projects at a point it might want to become involved or aware of them. This is a new organisation, and therefore Sir Peter had no dealings with them while in post.

The Committee also took into account the views of Sir Peter’s former department, the FCO, which had no reservations about the appointment.

The Foreign Secretary accepted the Committee’s advice, that in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules this appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• Sir Peter should not draw on privileged information available to him as a Crown servant; and
• for two years from his last day of service, Sir Peter should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of the Tellus Matrix Group or its clients.

The letter containing the Committee’s advice was sent in October 2016.

7. Independent Non-Executive, EY

Sir Peter Westmacott sought the Committee’s advice on taking up a role as an Independent Non-Executive to EY. Sir Peter said it will be a paid role, with a time commitment of around 30-40 days a year.

Sir Peter told the Committee that he had no contact with EY while in post, nor did he have contact with organisations that could be considered their competitors. The Committee also took into account the views of the FCO, who confirmed he had no contact with EY whist in office and they considered there to be no conflict of interest; or evidence to suggest Sir Peter would give his new employers an unfair advantage.

The Foreign Secretary accepted the Committee’s advice that, in accordance with the Government’s Business Appointment Rules, this appointment be subject to the following conditions:

• Sir Peter should not draw on privileged information available to him as a Crown servant; and
• for two years from his last day in service, Sir Peter should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of EY, or make use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in Government and/or Crown service to influence policy or secure business on behalf of EY or its clients.

The letter containing the final advice was sent in April 2017.