Decision

Summary of business appointments applications - Kevin White

Published 6 January 2016

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Kevin White left his role as HR Director General, Home Office, in July 2015.

1. Independent consultancy

Mr White sought the Committee’s advice about setting up an independent consultancy, specialising in HR, advising clients on HR issues and providing executive coaching.

The Committee took into account that Mr White may provide coaching to Civil Service Learning (CSL) as he was already on the list from his time in Crown Service. It further noted that he had official dealings with Capita in the last two years, CSL’s prime contractor. However the Committee noted that he had no responsibility for the contract award and no involvement in commercial discussions with them.

The Prime Minister has accepted the Committee’s advice that there is no reason why Mr White should not set up as an independent consultant subject to the following conditions:

  • He should not draw on privileged information available to him from his time in Civil Service;
  • For two years from his last day in service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of any of his clients or those he advises. (i.e He should not use his Whitehall contacts to influence policy or secure business for any organisations he works with); and
  • For two years from his last day in Civil Service, before accepting any new Commission he should make a case directly to the Committee to confirm that each individual commission he wishes to undertake would be permissible under the approved terms of the consultancy. (If, after the enquiry, the Committee takes the view that a commission is, or may be, outside the terms of the consultancy he will be expected to submit a fresh application). In recommending this condition, the Committee agreed that there should be a de-minimis level for approvals whereby commissions lasting a day or less would not need to be considered by the Committee.

The Committee’s advice letter was sent to Mr White’s former department in November 2015.

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