The Role of Non-Executive Directors in Government

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 7 Jun 2022 Closed: 9 Oct 2023 Parliament page
Non-executive directors (NEDs) have existed in Government departments in their current form since 2010, but little is known about their roles and impact. The aim of this inquiry is to explore the responsibilities, backgrounds, and influence of non-executives, as well as the appointments process, appropriate roles, and mechanisms for accountability. Read more
21 Recommendations
6 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
1 Letter
3 Events
Activity timeline 9 events
8 Sep
2023
Report published
20 Jun
2023
Report published
7 Feb
2023
Correspondence
17 Jan
2023
Oral evidence
17 Jan
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
8 Nov
2022
Oral evidence
8 Nov
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
19 Jul
2022
Oral evidence
19 Jul
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
17 Jan 2023
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The Role of Non-Executive Directors in Government
Michael Jary · Cabinet Office Rt Hon Jeremy Quin MP · Cabinet Office
8 Nov 2022
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The Role of Non-Executive Directors in Government
Dame Sue Street DCB · Ministry of Justice Miranda Curtis CMG · Foreign and Commonwealth Office Sir Ian Cheshire · Channel 4
19 Jul 2022
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The Role of Non-Executive Directors in Government Session: 2022-23 Inquiry
Alan Cogbill · Constitution Unit, University College London Dr Matthew Gill · Institute for Government Mr Martin Wheatley · Commission for Smart Government
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Seventh Report - The Role of Non-Executive Directors in Governme… HC 318 20 Jun 2023 27 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
Clear
5 Recommendation Deferred
Seventh Report - The Role of Non-E…
Prioritise publishing Lord Maude's Review findings within two weeks of delivery.
The Rt. Hon. Lord Maude of Horsham should take into consideration the conclusions and recommendations of this inquiry into his final report for the Review of Governance and Accountability. The Government should prioritise publishing the findings of the Review within … Read more
Government Response
The government stated it would consider the recommendations from the Review of Governance and Accountability once it has been published and respond in due course.
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17 Recommendation Deferred
Seventh Report - The Role of Non-E…
Update Corporate Governance Code to stress value of NEDs and advise against automatic removal.
The consensus from oral witnesses to the inquiry, including the current Government Lead Non-Executive, was that NEDs and boards have a role to play in providing continuity and corporate memory between new Ministers and administrations. While we recognise that the … Read more
Government Response
The government states it will consider amending the Corporate Governance Code to include provisions on the removal of departmental NEDs, taking into account the committee's recommendations and other reports, while affirming ministerial discretion.
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20 Conclusion Deferred
Seventh Report - The Role of Non-E…
Require Lead Non-Executive to report on Code compliance, detailing departmental breakdowns and departures
The Government Lead Non-Executive should provide a report on compliance with the Corporate Governance Code in the Government Lead Non-Executive Annual Report. This would cover all aspects of the Code, such as attendance at board meetings, whether fair and open … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees there are benefits to publishing NEBM roles and responsibilities but does not commit to providing a report on Corporate Governance Code compliance or departmental justifications for departures. It notes its commitment to review NED roles is part of the overdue Lord Maude’s Governance and Accountability Review.
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Government Response AI assessment · 27 of 21 classified
Accepted 4
Accepted in Part 6
Acknowledged 7
Deferred 3
Not Addressed 1
Rejected 6
Total 21 recs + 6 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
7 Feb 2023 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Jeremy Quin MP on the role of Non-Executive Directors, dated 31.1.23
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