East West Railway Company Limited RECRUITMENT OF CHAIR

September 2020

If you require these candidate briefing materials in an alternative format, please contact Cadence Partners on +44 20 7947 4960 or email [email protected] WELCOME

I am very pleased that you are interested in For the boards of our public bodies to the role of Chair for the East West Railway effectively serve the public, they should also Company. The Company is making significant be representative of the public. We need progress on the development of this vitally our public appointments to be open to fresh important infrastructure project, which will talent, expertise and perspectives, to help us not only create a valuable lateral link across better understand the needs of the people our country, but also provide extensive and they serve. That is why the Government is enduring economic benefit to the communities committed to making our public appointments and businesses in its ambit. more diverse in terms of background, life experience, gender and ethnicity. With the groundwork firmly laid, and all the fundamentals for success in place, you will I want our public appointments to benefit from be joining the organisation at a pivotal time. the strongest possible field of candidates. The work of national recovery following the That means we need more candidates from disruption of COVID-19 provides the perfect a variety of backgrounds who can bring their context in which to be creating a better experience and ideas to our boards. If you are connected, more prosperous and thriving new to the family region. The East West Railway Company or to public appointments, I encourage you to represents a new era in construction for apply and join a Department that is forward the UK, and I am proud of its ambition, its thinking and transforming Britain’s transport innovative approach, and its deep commitment system. to achieving benefits for all who live, work or travel on the route. I look forward to meeting the successful candidate.

Chris Heaton-Harris MP Minister of State for Transport

2 ABOUT THE EAST WEST RAILWAY COMPANY

The Secretary of State for Transport is and prosperity both locally and for the whole seeking to appoint a Chair to the Board of country: the new connections this line will the East West Railway Company (EWR Co) provide are crucial to the social and economic to drive at pace the Government’s ambition future of the region. to construct a new direct connection between and , and EWR Co was set up to accelerate the delivery beyond. of the infrastructure and passenger services, bringing faster journey East West Rail is a new direct connection, times and easing pressure on local roads. linking communities between Oxford and It aims to innovate, positively disrupt, and Cambridge, including , challenge the status-quo, leading to quicker and by rail. Oxford, Cambridge and and more cost-effective project delivery, and the communities in between are renowned for an improved experience for passengers and their vibrant economy, educational excellence the communities it serves. and scientific innovation. They deliver growth

3 ABOUT THE EAST WEST RAILWAY COMPANY

EWR Co is a limited company with a single • A more integrated railway, with better share in issue, owned by the Secretary of services for passengers State for Transport. EWR Co is an arm’s- length body (ALB) of the Department for • A major industry cultural shift Transport (DfT). The purpose of EWR Co is to be a force Established by the Secretary of State for for industry change, for the people and Transport, EWR Co will deliver: communities it serves. EWR Co’s role is therefore to be an intelligent client with the • Strategically relevant infrastructure, with expertise to integrate the “golden thread” clarity of purpose from desired outcomes to requirements, into design, through to delivered benefits. • Lower cost infrastructure, more quickly A single, nimble, focused, multi-disciplinary • New methods of funding and financing organisation is the most effective way to drive infrastructure this outcome.

4 ABOUT THE EAST WEST RAIL PROJECT

The project is being delivered in progressive • New infrastructure between Bedford and sections: Cambridge is in early design stages, and they expect to seek legal powers to deliver • The upgrade of the section between this section using a Development Consent Oxford and Bicester was delivered in 2016. Order and expect to start major works in • Legal powers to upgrade the section 2025. between Bicester and Milton Keynes/ When all sections of East West Rail are Bedford was granted in January 2020 via complete, services will be able to run between a TWAO – major works are expected to Oxford and Cambridge in a little over 80 start later this year. minutes, serving stations along the way and connecting with existing north-south rail lines.

5 EWR CO BOARD AND EXECUTIVE TEAM

EWR Co’s non-executive directors will work Simon Blanchflower CBE,Chief Executive with the incoming Chair to guide and advise the Officer organisation as it drives forward work to deliver a new rail line between Oxford and Cambridge. Simon joined EWR Co as its first CEO in The group’s broad range of skills, experience December 2018. His experience ranges from and perspectives is indicative of EWR Co’s the early stage development of to the remit to explore improved and innovative ways innovative delivery of Heathrow Express and of working across the rail industry, and the DfT’s most recently as Programme Director for the ambitions for both the organisation and the £5bn Thameslink project. route. Will Gallagher, Strategy Director

Anne Baldock An experienced non-executive Before joining EWR Co, Will was the Operations director who has advised several company, Director for the National Citizen Service Trust, charity and governmental boards. Previously the fastest growing youth programme in the partner and the global head of the Projects, UK. Will has spent a significant amount of time Energy and Infrastructure Group at international in senior leadership positions both within the law firm Allen & Overy LLP. public and the private sectors.

Dyan Crowther Currently Chief Executive James Norman, Corporate Services Director Officer at High Speed 1 (HS1) and the newly appointed chairman of NSAR – the National James served as Finance Director Network Skills Academy for Rail – Dyan has over 30 Operations and Deputy CFO for . years of experience working in the rail industry, He has a wide range of experience including including senior posts at train operators, Finance Director roles for an AIM listed support Network Rail and British Rail. services organisation.

Simon Murray Coming from a long career in Ian Parker, Programme Delivery Director infrastructure development, spanning senior Ian is a chartered civil engineer with over 30 roles at Arup, BAA, TfL and Anglian Water years’ experience in the infrastructure sector. Services, Simon is an experienced non- Before joining EWR Co, Ian was MD of executive director, previously sitting on the Costain’s transportation division and previously, Highways England Board. for Highways England, led the A14 Cambridge EWR Co’s Executive Team demonstrates a to Huntingdon scheme through its development similarly broad range of skills and experience. phase. The final permanent appointments were made Simon Scott, Engineering Director in September 2020, after extensive and rigorous recruitment processes to find the right mix of Simon has a history of combining both technical vision, expertise and energy. expertise in engineering, future technologies and asset management with strategic and creative thinking in whole systems technologies, working on projects including Hyperloop One, HS2 and the Digital Railway, where he was the Principal Systems Architect.

6 ROLE PARAMETERS

1. The Chair will be responsible for the proper 7. The successful candidate will dedicate the running and effective management of the necessary time to promoting, influencing EWR Co Board (‘the Board’). They will and networking with key decision makers guide and influence the Company at a and stakeholders, in order to explain how strategic level, providing confident, clear EWR Co is delivering the vision and secure and consistent leadership. partner commitment. 2. The Chair will ensure that the Board is 8. The Chair will be responsible for reporting appropriately constituted, led and developed annually on performance, including that of as to secure the greatest possible long-term the Board, supported by feedback, including contribution from non-executive members. peer review, to the Secretary of State or as delegated, and sharing this with the DfT and 3. The Chair will work closely with and support wider Government as necessary. the Chief Executive and his Executive Team, both supporting and challenging 9. The Chair of the EWR Co Board is the Executive to lead and develop the expected to operate within the relevant organisation to ensure it delivers the vision standards and duties, including the Nolan for East West Rail. Standards, the Code of Practice on corporate governance in central government 4. The Chair will be accountable, through the departments, Cabinet Office guidance on Chief Executive, for the development of a Managing Public Money and other relevant high-capacity, high-performing organisation guidance. that is able to deliver across the full project lifecycle. 5. They will be appointed by, and lead EWR Co’s relationship with, the Secretary of State for Transport, his Ministerial Team and the senior official in the DfT who provides the primary strategic link to the Company. 6. The Chair will act as an ambassador for the Board and for EWR Co, helping to build and develop collaborative strategic partnerships that support and promote the vision for East West Rail.

7 CANDIDATE PROFILE

NB: While candidates should demonstrate that they meet a majority of the following criteria to a high degree, the DfT understands that some strong candidates with diverse career paths and backgrounds may not consider they meet all the Essential criteria below. Candidates in this category are encouraged to contact Cadence Partners in the first instance for an informal, confidential discussion about the role.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA 6. Highly politically astute, with the ability to maintain effective working relationships with 1. A proven track record of exceptional senior elected representatives from all major achievement throughout their professional political parties at the national, regional and career, with significant experience at Board local levels; level, developing and leading a strong executive team delivering to time, quality 7. Strong business and commercial and cost; experience along with financial and risk management acumen; 2. Ability to harness the knowledge and experience of a strong Board and able to 8. Ability to demonstrate excellent and complement the skills and experience of the sound judgement and set clear strategic CEO and other NEDs; direction in a changing environment while assimilating a range of perspectives and 3. Significant experience of leading large evidence from others; scale and complex projects (preferably infrastructure projects) that require the 9. A good understanding of the requirements development and application of innovative of public accountability, and of how to approaches to reducing costs and driving maintain the confidence of Government, improvements in the delivery of customer sponsors and funders through regular and services; transparent reporting;

4. Ability to lead an organisation through a 10. A proven track record in building and time of change, ambiguity and uncertainty, leading diverse and inclusive organisations. including managing highly-scrutinised political relationships;

5. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills with the ability to manage complex partnerships, bring stakeholders together and build consensus around high priority interventions supported by a strong evidence base;

8 CANDIDATE PROFILE

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

1. A passion and enthusiasm for working with local communities and Government on long- term development;

2. Significant experience of working in an enterprise that promotes public benefit, able to lead a complex and adaptive place-based approach that engages customers, local communities and businesses;

3. An understanding of the factors that ensure effective delivery of complex, large-scale infrastructure development projects;

4. Familiarity with the development and dynamics of multi-modal investment programmes;

5. A sound understanding of the land-use planning system;

6. An understanding of public private sector partnerships and how they deliver large scale regeneration, and a tangible commitment to realising the economic benefits of major infrastructure investment;

7. Knowledge and understanding of the transport sector and its role in enabling economic growth;

8. Ability to ‘horizon-scan’ in order to assess the potential impact of economic and policy changes.

9 TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

Duration Standards in Public Life

An initial term of two and a half or three years, You will be expected to demonstrate high with the possibility of re-appointment. standards of corporate and personal conduct. All successful candidates will be asked to Remuneration subscribe to the Review Body’s “Codes of £75k per annum for 2 days attendance per Practice”. Candidates will be expected to abide week. The fee is taxable through payroll but the by the “Seven Principles of Public Life” set out appointment is not pensionable. The Chair can by the Committee on Standards in Public Life claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and (see p. 12 below). subsistence costs necessarily incurred at rates Registration of Interests set centrally by the Department for Transport. Applicants should note that the successful The purpose of these provisions is to avoid any candidates cannot be remunerated for this role danger of Board members being influenced, if they are being paid for an existing full-time or appearing to be influenced, by their private role from the public purse. interests in the exercise of their public duties. Public appointments require the highest Appointment Term standards of propriety, involving impartiality, The appointment of Chair of EWR Co will be integrity and objectivity, in relation to the made by the Secretary of State. It should be stewardship of public funds and the oversight noted that this post is a public appointment; and management of all related activities. non-executive board members are not This means that any private, voluntary, employees of the Crown, the Department for charitable, or political interest which might Transport or EWR Co. Such appointments be material and relevant to the work of the are not normally subject to the provisions body concerned should be declared. It is of employment law. Appointments may be important, therefore, that you consider your ended prior to the conclusion of the period of circumstances when applying for a public appointment. appointment and identify any potential conflicts Time Commitment of interest, whether real or perceived. There is a requirement to declare any actual or potential The anticipated time commitment is around 105 conflict of interest you may have in being days per annum. The role involves attendance appointed to the Board in a separate form. Any at Board meetings, providing specialist advice actual or perceived conflicts of interest will be as required, preparation time for meetings, fully explored by the Panel at interview stage. travel, and work outside of meetings.

10 TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

Political Activity

Members will need to show political impartiality during their time on the Board and must declare any party-political activity they undertake in the period of their appointment. Details of the successful candidate’s declared political activity must be published by appointing departments when the appointments are publicised. The Political Activity Declaration contained with the supporting documentation will be kept separate from your application and will only be seen by the Panel prior to interview – the Panel may at that stage explore with candidates any potential for conflict of interest. It is appreciated that political activities may have given you relevant skills, including experience gained from committee work, collective decision making, resolving conflict and public speaking. If, therefore, you have had such experience and you consider it relevant to your application for this post, you may if you choose include it separately in the main body of your application.

11 SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC LIFE

The principles of public life apply to anyone who Accountability works as a public office-holder. This includes Holders of public office are accountable for all those who are elected or appointed to public their decisions and actions to the public and office, nationally and locally, and all people must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appointed to work in the civil service, local appropriate to their office. government, the police, courts and probation services, Non-Departmental Public Bodies, Openness and in the health, education, social and care services. All public office-holders are both Holders of public office should be as open as servants of the public and stewards of public possible about all the decisions and actions that resources. The principles also have application they take. They should give reasons for their to all those in other sectors delivering public decisions and restrict information only when the services. public interest clearly demands.

Selflessness Honesty

Holders of public office should act solely in Holders of public office have a duty to declare terms of the public interest. They should not any private interests relating to their public do so in order to gain financial or other material duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts benefits for themselves, their family, or their arising in a way that protects the public interest. friends. Leadership Integrity Holders of public office should promote and Holders of public office should not place support these principles by leadership and themselves under any financial or other example. obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.

Objectivity

In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.

12 HOW TO APPLY

The Department for Transport is being Indicative Timetable supported in this process by Cadence Please note that these dates are only indicative Partners, who can be contacted for an informal at this stage and could be subject to change. discussion at any time. Please contact our Please let us know in your application letter if principal consultant, Shani Newbold at Cadence you are unable to meet these timeframes. Partners on +44 20 7947 4960 or email [email protected] • Closing Date: 19 Oct 2020

If you require the candidate briefing materials in • Long List Meeting: 23 Oct 2020 an alternative format, please submit a request to the same email address. • Short List Meeting: 24 Nov 2020

If you wish to apply, you will be required to • Final Panel Interviews: 18 Dec 2020 submit the following: • Meeting with SoS: TBC • A comprehensive CV setting out your career Selection Process history and including relevant details of any professional qualifications. This role is being advertised in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments • A short supporting statement (maximum (January 2017), which sets out the regulatory two sides A4, minimum size 11 font) framework for public appointments processes. giving evidence of your ability to meet the The Code is based on three core principles – essential criteria for the role. Please provide merit, openness and fairness. specific examples to demonstrate how you meet each of the areas identified in the The selection panel will consist of: person specification. • Clive Maxwell • In addition, please also complete and return Director General, High Speed and Major via email the Supporting Documentation Rail Projects form relating to referees, diversity, nationality, political activity and conflicts of • Nick Markham interest. Chair, London & Continental Railways

These documents must be emailed to • Olivia Grant OBE DL [email protected] (subject line: Independent Panel Member Application for Chair of EWRCo) by no later than the closing date of 19 October 2020.

13 HOW TO APPLY

Cadence Partners will acknowledge your process, but in these circumstances will be application and keep you updated on the kept anonymous. The diversity monitoring form progress of the competition. At the shortlisting is used for monitoring the selection process meeting the selection panel will assess each only. If you do not wish to have these details application against the essential criteria and recorded please return the form uncompleted. decide who to invite for interview. Our data protection policy is in line with the Interviews are expected to take place virtually requirements of the Data Protection Act and (over either Microsoft Teams or Zoom) and to the requirements of the Commissioner’s Code last for around 45 minutes to an hour. Further of Practice. The Commissioner’s requirements details about the format will be provided to you relating to the information we collect about in advance. applicants are set out below:

The decision to appoint to this role rests with • Your initial contact details, including your the Secretary of State. Appointable candidates name and address will be held by the may be invited to meet with the Secretary of Department for Transport for a period of at State, or another Department for Transport least two years. Minister, before a final decision is made. • If you submit an application form, the form Complaints and any supporting documentation will be retained for at least two years. If you are not completely satisfied with the way your application is handled at any stage of the • Information held electronically, including competition, please raise any complaint in the your contact details and the monitoring first instance with: Public Appointments Team, information which you provide will also be Governance Division (Area 2/28), Department held for at least two years. for Transport, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR. You can If you would like these details to be removed also email [email protected] We from our records as soon as this recruitment will reply to your complaint within 20 days. exercise is complete, please contact the Public Appointments Team at the Department for Data Protection Transport at [email protected]

The Department for Transport takes its Expenses obligations under the Data Protection Act seriously. Any data about you will be held in Expenses incurred by candidates during the secure conditions with access restricted to recruitment process will not be reimbursed those who need it in connection with dealing except in exceptional circumstances and only with your application and the selection process. when agreed in advance with the DfT Public Data may also be used for the purposes of Appointments Team. monitoring the effectiveness of the recruitment

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