House of Lords House of Commons Joint Committee on Human Rights
Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
Third Report of Session 2012–13
Report, together with formal minutes and appendices
Ordered by the House of Lords to be printed 16 October 2012 Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 16 October 2012
HL Paper 48 HC 634 Published on 18 October 2012 by authority of the House of Commons London: The Stationery Office Limited £0.00
The Joint Committee on Human Rights
The Joint Committee on Human Rights is appointed by the House of Lords and the House of Commons to consider matters relating to human rights in the United Kingdom (but excluding consideration of individual cases); proposals for remedial orders, draft remedial orders and remedial orders.
The Joint Committee has a maximum of six Members appointed by each House, of whom the quorum for any formal proceedings is two from each House.
Current membership HOUSE OF LORDS HOUSE OF COMMONS
Baroness Berridge (Conservative) Dr Hywel Francis MP (Labour, Aberavon) (Chairman) Lord Faulks (Conservative) Rehman Chishsti MP (Conservative, Gillingham and Rainham) Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws (Labour) Mike Crockart MP (Liberal Democrat, Edinburgh West) Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Liberal Democrat) Mr Dominic Raab MP (Conservative, Esher and Walton) Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour) Mr Virendra Sharma MP (Labour, Ealing Southall) Baroness O’Loan (Crossbench) Mr Richard Shepherd MP (Conservative, Aldridge-Brownhills)
Powers The Committee has the power to require the submission of written evidence and documents, to examine witnesses, to meet at any time (except when Parliament is prorogued or dissolved), to adjourn from place to place, to appoint specialist advisers, and to make Reports to both Houses. The Lords Committee has power to agree with the Commons in the appointment of a Chairman.
Publications The Reports and evidence of the Joint Committee are published by The Stationery Office by Order of the two Houses. All publications of the Committee (including press notices) are on the internet at http://www.parliament.uk/jchr
Current Staff The current staff of the Committee is: Mike Hennessy (Commons Clerk), Mark Davies (Lords Clerk), Murray Hunt (Legal Adviser), Lisa Wrobel (Senior Committee Assistant), Michelle Owens (Committee Assistant), Baris Tufekci (Committee Assistant), Greta Piacquadio (Committee Support Assistant), and Keith Pryke (Office Support Assistant).
Contacts All correspondence should be addressed to The Clerk of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Committee Office, House of Commons London SW1A 0AA. The telephone number for general inquiries is: 020 7219 2797; the Committee's e- mail address is [email protected]
Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission 1
Contents
Report Page
1 Introduction 3
2 Non-Executive Chair of the EHRC 3 The role and function of the Equality and Human Rights Commission 3 Reform of the EHRC 3 The post of non-executive Chair 4 The candidate 4 Lines of questioning 4 The Committee's views on the suitability of the candidate 5
Formal Minutes 6
Declaration of Lords’ Interests 7
Appendices 8
List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament 18
Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission 3
1 Introduction
1. This Report follows our pre-appointment hearing with the Government's preferred candidate for the post of non-executive Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). This is the first time that this post has been subject to the process of pre-appointment hearing; and this is the first time that this Committee (indeed, any Joint Committee) has carried out such a hearing. 2 Non-Executive Chair of the EHRC
The role and function of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
2. The EHRC was established in 2007. It replaced and took over the work of the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality and the Disability Rights Commission. It was also given responsibility for promoting equality and tackling discrimination in respect of age, sexual orientation and religion or belief, promoting good relations between groups and providing institutional support for human rights. The Commission is accredited by the United Nation as a category 'A' status National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), responsible for monitoring the human rights situation in Britain, including compliance with international human rights commitments.
3. The post of non-executive Chair of the EHRC is a statutory appointment. Appointment is by open competition. The EHRC is currently funded by the Government Equalities Office (GEO) which until recently was answerable to the Home Office. It was thus the Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Theresa May MP, and the then Minister for Equalities also at the Home Office, Lynne Featherstone MP, who were responsible for the position of non- executive Chair and for the EHRC. Since the repositioning of departmental responsibilities in September 2012, the GEO is now answerable to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Its Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Maria Miller MP, has been involved in the last stages of the selection process for the non-executive Chair.
4. Trevor Phillips OBE has led the EHRC since it was established in 2007, and he stood down in September 2012 after two terms of office. We wish him well in his future career.
Reform of the EHRC
5. The EHRC is currently in the midst of a period of significant reform, following on from the plans announced by the Government in 2010 and the consultation paper it launched in 2011. The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill currently before Parliament contains statutory provisions which will reform the legislative basis for the EHRC in line with the Government's plans announced following the 2011 consultation. This will remove some of the duties and activities of the Commission. The reform is accompanied by both head- count and budget reductions which also incorporate the impact of the general financial stringency affecting all public bodies.
6. As part of the process of reform the remuneration for the position of non-executive Chair has been set at £130,000 per annum, pro rata for up to two days a week (which
4 Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
equates to up to £56,000 a year), down from the previous salary of £185,000 per annum, pro rata for three-and-a-half days a week (which equated to £112,000 a year).1
The post of non-executive Chair
7. According to the information for applicants published by the Home Office, the role of the non-executive Chair is:
• to lead in formulating a clear strategic direction for the EHRC, focusing on its core roles as a strategic enforcer of the law and national expert;
• to provide leadership in all aspects of its role—improving efficiency, value for money, and performance;
• to be an effective advocate and ambassador for the EHRC;
• to build and develop an effective Board; and
• to hold the Chief Executive to account for the EHRC's effective delivery against its three-year strategic plan and annual business plan.
The responsibilities of the post (which are set out in more detail in the information for applicants) build upon this role and emphasise the need for visible leadership and public presence, leadership and assistance in good governance, and clarity in the planning and delivery of the Commission's objectives.
8. Lynne Featherstone MP, the then Minster for Equalities, wrote in April 2012 to Sir Alan Beith MP, the Chair of the House of Commons Liaison Committee, putting the post forward for the pre-appointment process. This letter is attached as Appendix A. The advertisement for the post is published as Appendix B. The closing date for applications was 18 June 2012.
The candidate
9. The Secretary of State informed us on 1 October that the preferred candidate for the position of non-executive Chair of the EHRC was Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve. This letter is attached as Appendix C. Her curriculum vitae is published as Appendix D. All those applying for the position were required to supply a detailed supporting statement of no more than two pages. Baroness O'Neill's supporting statement is published as Appendix E.
10. We held a pre-appointment hearing with Baroness O'Neill on 16 October.
Lines of questioning
11. In line with the guidance drawn up by the House of Commons Liaison Committee on the conduct of pre-appointment hearings, our questioning sought to test the professional competence and personal independence of the candidate. The Liaison Committee also
1 The position had been full-time until it was reduced to three-and-a-half days at the request of the incumbent in 2009.
Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission 5
observes that a candidate will need to be able to withstand parliamentary and public scrutiny should they take up the post, and that questioning may therefore be robust.
12. In the evidence session we explored the following areas with Baroness O'Neill:
• Her general suitability for the post, including her independence and relevant experience;
• Her leadership ability and organisational expertise;
• Her view on the reform of the EHRC and the challenges the Commission will face going forward; and
• Retention of category ‘A’ status for the Commission as a National Human Rights Institution.
A transcript of the oral evidence is available on our Committee website.
The Committee's views on the suitability of the candidate
13. We consider that Baroness O'Neill has demonstrated her suitability for the post of non-executive Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. We are grateful to the Government for giving us the opportunity to hold this hearing and we endorse its choice of candidate.
6 Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
Formal Minutes
Tuesday 16 October 2012
Members present:
Dr Hywel Francis, in the Chair
Rehman Chishti Baroness Berridge Mike Crockart Lord Faulks Mr Virendra Sharma Lord Lester of Herne Hill Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws Baroness Lister of Burtersett Baroness O’Loan
Draft Report (Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the Chair’s draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 13 read and agreed to.
Several papers were appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Third Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House of Commons and that Lord Lester of Herne Hill make the Report to the House of Lords.
[Adjourned till Tuesday 23 October at 2.00 pm
Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission 7
Declaration of Lords’ Interests
No members present declared interests relevant to this Report.
A full list of members’ interests can be found in the Register of Lords’ Interests: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld/ldreg/rego1.htm
8 Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
Appendices
Appendix A: Letter to Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith MP, Chair of the Liaison Committee, from Lynne Featherstone MP, Minister for Equalities, Home Office
As Minister for Equalities and Criminal Information, I am writing to inform you of the forthcoming process to appoint a new Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), and to seek your view on which Committee should perform the pre- appointment scrutiny. The current Chair's appointment ends on 11September 2012. However, we regret that there is likely to be a gap between the current Chair standing down and a permanent successor taking post. We will obviously move as swiftly as possible to ensure any potential gap is minimal. This is due to a delay in finalising our wider reforms to the EHRC. I should be grateful for your support in this matter. In line with departmental guidance, which states that in the majority of cases it will be the relevant departmental select committee which will scrutinise the appointment, my officials had presumed that the Home Affairs Select Committee (HASC) would be responsible for this, but were advised by the Clerk to HASC that, as the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) also has an interest, it is for the Liaison Committee to decide which committee should scrutinise the appointment. We would of course wish to avoid potential appointees having to face two pre-appointment hearings by different committees. A suggested way forward could be for HASC and JCHR to hold a joint pre-appointment hearing. The Home Office has engaged Gatenby Sanderson to administer the selection process, working with Home Office officials. An appointments panel, which includes a Public Appointments Assessor, has also been established, in line with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies. The panel will provide the Home Secretary and me with a selection of appointable candidates. Once we have made a decision on the preferred candidate, that candidate will be put forward to the appropriate Committee for the pre-appointment hearing. Once we have confirmation of how the scrutiny for this post will be handled, my officials will liaise with the relevant Clerk to take this forward. Given the tight timescales for commencing the recruitment campaign, I am copying this letter to the Chairs of both HASC and JCHR and also taking the opportunity to seek their views on the selection criteria and publicity strategy at Annex A and the indicative timetable at Annex B, in particular the proposed timing of the pre-appointment scrutiny process.
Annex A
Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
Selection criteria—essential skills to be tested at interview • A commitment to, and knowledge or experience of, equality and human rights.
Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission 9
• Substantial leadership experience in a senior role in the public, private or voluntary sector and a track record of successful delivery.
• Board experience in an organisation of similar complexity, and a track record of leading and managing significant change.
• A keen sense of impartial and independent judgement with the ability to differentiate and weigh up competing arguments and draw sound conclusions capable of justification under close scrutiny.
• Outstanding relationship-building skills, with the ability to differentiate and weigh up competing arguments and draw sound conclusions capable of justification under close scrutiny.
• A demonstrable ability to operate effectively and comfortably in the media spotlight as the face of the EHRC.
• High standards of corporate and personal conduct—able to demonstrate a sound understanding of and commitment to public service values, act impartially and uphold the independence of the organisation.
Publicity strategy • Gatenby Sanderson to act as recruitment agency, draft the advert and make arrangements to advertise the post, using the Commissioner’s kitemark on all publicity material.
• To advertise on the Cabinet Office public appointments website.
• To advertise in the Sunday Times (with confirmed good coverage in Scotland and Wales).
• To circulate the post widely using Government Equalities Office networks.
• To seek views from relevant Ministers on likely candidates.
• To state in all publicity relating to the post that the appointment is subject to a pre- appointment hearing by a parliamentary Select Committee.
Annex B
Timetable for EHRC Chair Recruitment
Date Activity Comment
29 March to 4 May Purdah (Local and Central)
Friday 4 May Gatenby Sanderson book space in Sunday Times, organise artwork
Friday 7 May Early May Holiday
Friday 11 May Publish Advert on Public Appointments
10 Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
website
Friday 11 May Advert to GEO networks
Sunday 13 May Agency to publish advert in Sunday Times. 4 week window for applications
24 May–11 June Whitsun Recess 4 June Spring Holiday 5 June Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
Mon 11 June Closing date
12–15 June Paper sift of applications
18–19 June Longlist meeting
25–28 June Gatenby Sanderson conduct screening interviews with candidates
17 July–3 September Summer Recess 27 Aug Summer Bank Holiday
5 or 6 July Shortlist meeting with Panel to agree final candidates for interview
23–25 July Interviews to select appointable candidates
30 July Submission—Report to Ministers
4 Sept Home Secretary writes to Chair of Select After recess Committee announcing HMG’s approved candidate
5 Sept Pre-employment checks begin
11 Sept–2 Oct Public Appointments Pre-Appointment 3 week window Scrutiny
9 October Select Committee report on hearing
15 October HMG confirms successful candidate subject to Select Committee Report
22 October Candidate takes up appointment
Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission 11
Appendix B: Job Advertisement for the Chair of the EHRC
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Chair Appointing Department: Home Office—Government Equalities Office Number of vacancies: one The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) was established in 2007 as a statutory body to help eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and protect human rights across England, Scotland and Wales. The Commission is accredited by the United Nations as the independent body responsible for monitoring the human rights situation in Britain, including compliance with international human rights commitments, working in partnership with the Scottish Human Rights Commission. Vacancy description: £130k per annum, pro rata for up to 2 days a week (this equates to up to £56K per annum). The Equality and Human Rights Commission currently has offices in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Scotland and Wales. There has never been a more important time for the EHRC. We are seeking a strong, strategic Chair who will lead and develop the Board, setting the Commission’s overall direction to reflect its core role as an independent equality body and National Human Rights Institution. You will position the EHRC to deliver its challenging remit, providing decisive leadership to drive up performance. You will ensure that robust governance arrangements are in place to support the EHRC’s evidence-based approach, and work with the Board, Chief Executive and staff in developing organisational capacity and capability in response to the Government’s wish to see significant reform and refocusing. Accountable to the Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities, you will develop and maintain high- value relationships and alliances with Ministers, influential partners, governments at home and abroad, opinion formers, industry and others, demonstrating judgement, integrity and resilience in the face of challenge. The successful candidate will have Board-level experience in an organisation of similar complexity, and a track record of leading and managing significant change in the public, private or voluntary sectors. An appreciation of the workings of government will be important, and you will also have a demonstrable ability to build strategic partnerships and be the public face of an organisation. You will have commitment to, and knowledge or experience of, equality and human rights. This is a unique opportunity to drive the debate forward in an area of enormous complexity and importance to Britain. Essential skills and experience • A commitment to, and knowledge or experience of, equality and human rights.
• Significant senior leadership experience gained at board level in the public, private or voluntary sectors.
• A successful track record of leading and managing significant change.
12 Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
• A keen sense of impartial and independent judgement, with the ability to differentiate and weigh up competing arguments and draw sound conclusions capable of justification under close scrutiny.
• Outstanding relationship building skills, with the ability to command respect, build networks quickly, and work with and through others to achieve objectives.
• A demonstrable ability to operate effectively and comfortably in the media spotlight as the public face of the EHRC.
• High standards of integrity in both corporate and personal conduct—able to demonstrate a sound understanding of, and commitment to, public service values.
Pre-appointment scrutiny • This appointment is subject to a pre-appointment hearing by a Parliamentary Select Committee. The preferred candidate for the post of Chair of the EHRC may therefore be required to appear before the appropriate Parliamentary Select Committee prior to appointment. This hearing would be open to the public and would involve MPs questioning the candidate on his or her suitability for the post.
Eligibility and conflict of interest • There are circumstances in which an individual will not be considered for appointment. These include where the individual:
• has received a prison sentence or suspended sentence of 3 months or more in the last 5 years;
• is the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order;
• has had an earlier term of appointment terminated (in certain circumstances);
• is under a disqualification order under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986;
• has been removed from trusteeship of a charity.
• You will be required to declare any personal or business interests, positions of authority or other connections with commercial, public or voluntary bodies which may, or may be perceived to, influence your judgments in performing your duties. Any actual or perceived conflicts of interest will be fully explored by the panel at short listing or interview stage.
Closing date: Monday 18 June Interviews start: Mid July How to apply: For further details about the role please visit www.gatenbysanderson.com For an informal confidential discussion about the role please contact our advising consultants Juliet Taylor on 0207 426 3990 or Mark Turner on 0207 426 3983.
Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission 13
This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. We welcome applicants from all sections of society regardless of sex, gender reassignment, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, caring responsibilities, part-time working or other status.
Appendix C: Letter from Rt Hon Maria Miller MP, Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, to Dr Hywel Francis, Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, 1 October 2012
Lynne Featherstone wrote you on 22 May about the pre-appointment scrutiny hearing for the new Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). At the time, responsibility for Equality lay with the Home Office and as a consequence it was agreed that the pre-appointment hearing would be heard jointly by your Committee and the Home Affairs Select Committee. I want to thank you for agreeing to this. As responsibility for the Equality and Human Rights Commission has now moved from the Home Office to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, my officials liaised with the Clerks to the relevant Committees about which Committees now have an interest in this appointment and are best placed to hold the hearing. I understand that the position reached is that the Joint Committee on Human Rights will conduct the pre-appointment scrutiny hearing on its own. I am also writing to provide an update on the Chair recruitment. The selection panel carried out the recruitment process in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code 2012 and, following interviews, recommended two candidates who had met the selection criteria for the post. Before making my decision, I met both candidates on 26 September. I have chosen Baroness Onora O'Neill as my preferred candidate to be Chair of the EHRC and therefore to progress to the pre-appointment scrutiny stage. I am attaching her CV for your information. Baroness O'Neill has been informed and is aware that she will need to appear before your Committee for pre- appointment scrutiny on 16 October at 10.30am. My officials in the Government Equalities Office will liaise with your Clerks to ensure that you have everything you need in good time before the hearing. I look forward to receiving your Report following the scrutiny session. I am copying this letter to Sir Alan Beith, Chair of the Liaison Committee and John Whittingdale, Chair of Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.
1 October 2012
14 Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
Appendix D: Curriculum Vitae: Baroness O’Neill of Bengarve, June 2012
Professor Onora O’Neill CBE FBA Hon FRS F Med Sci (Baroness O’Neill of Bengarve)
Personal:
Born 23rd August 1941, Aughafatten, Northern Ireland. UK citizen. Two sons. both married with children Address: [...] Phone: [...}
Education:
St Paul's Girls' School, London, 1953–8; Foundation Scholar. Somerville College, Oxford, 1959–62; Coombes Scholar; BA Hons 1st class, Philosophy, Psychology and Physiology, June 1962. Harvard University, 1963–68; GSAS Scholarships, 1963–64, 1964–65 PhD 1969, (supervisor John Rawls) Universalisability; Carrier prize for dissertation.
Academic Appointments:
1970–77 Assistant then Associate Professor, Barnard College, Columbia University. 1977–92 Lecturer, later Professor, University of Essex. 1992–2006 Principal of Newnham College, Cambridge and since 2003 Honorary Professor of Philosophy, Cambridge University.
For Publications See Separate List1 (8 books; some 120 journal articles; lots of occasional pieces mostly on matters of public policy; I remain research active)
Political Life: Member of House of Lords since 1999; independent cross bench peer. Select Committees: Science and Technology, Stem Cell Research 2002–03; BBC Charter Review 2005–06; Science and Technology, Genomic Medicine 2008–09; Science and Technology, Nanosciences and Food, 2009–10; Science and Technology, Behavioural Change, 2010–11. Subcommittee on Lords’ Conduct (previously Lords’ Interests) since 2010
Administrative and Committee Responsibilities
At University of Essex between 1977 and 1992:
1 Not printed
Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission 15
Chair, Department of Philosophy; member Senate; University Council for various periods between 1979 and 1992—also numerous other committees.
At Cambridge University: Member University Press Syndicate, University Council, University Finance Committee for various periods between 1993 and 2004—also numerous other committees.
Newnham College: 1992–2006, Chair, Governing Body, Council, Finance Committee, and Investments Committee and numerous other committees.
Nuffield Foundation: 1997–2010: Chair, Trustees, Finance, Investments, and numerous other committees.
British Academy; Chair Council and numerous other committees 2005–09, since when reduced commitments.
Selected Further Public and Charitable Responsibilities since 1990:
1990–94 Animal Procedures Committee, Home Office 1991–98 Nuffield Council on Bioethics (Chair 96-8) 1993–99 Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission 1996–04 Trustee, Isaac Newton Trust 1996–99 Human Genetics Advisory Commission (Acting Chair 1999) 1996– Executive Committee, British Irish Association 2000–09 Trustee, Gates Cambridge Trust 2004– Trustee, Sense About Science 2004– Trustee, American University of Sharjah 2004– Trustee, PHG Foundation 2012 Member of Council, MRC
Honorary Elections:
I have some 25 Honorary degrees, am a member or corresponding fellow of a number of overseas national academies, an Honorary Bencher of Gray’s Inn, an Honorary Fellow, Faulty of Actuaries, 2006 and an Honorary member of the Royal Statistical Society.
June 2012
Appendix E: The statement submitted by Baroness O’Neill of Bengarve with her application for the position of Chair of the EHRC
Equality and human rights matter, and their progress depends on a combination of policies, remedies and culture. In my view it is of central importance for EHRC to focus on those equalities that can be furthered in ways that are compatible with and support respect for human rights, and to seek and communicate robust evidence both about outcomes and about procedures in both areas. Fairness matters to and for the public, who should expect
16 Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
fair treatment for individuals of all backgrounds, and good communication of the basis on which decisions are made. 1. I have a long experience of equality and human rights matters of two sorts. First, I write and publish in ethics and political philosophy, and have done so since writing my Ph D under the late John Rawls, the best known theorist of justice of the last half century. (If the system for uploading permits and additional document I will provide my publication list to illustrate the range of topics on which I have written; if not it is available upon request). Second, I have a wide range of practical experience running from chairing appointments, grievance and disciplinary committees for a number of institutions, to dealing with equality and discrimination issues in the context of university admissions, to more specialised work on questions of discrimination, genetics and the use of personal data. 2. My leadership experience has been mainly in the university and voluntary sectors, and is quite diverse. I have chaired boards for many years, have had fruitful working relations with a number of CEOs and understand the difference of roles well. I have asked Mr Anthony Tomei, Director of the Nuffield Foundation, to be a referee, both because I was his chair for a total of 12 years, and because the Foundation has commitments to many initiatives that bear on equality and human rights. 3. No institution stands still, and I think that the changes that I led were most marked at Newnham College and the British Academy—both self-governing institutions in which Fellows collectively determine policy, which can (notoriously!) be problematic if the Chair lacks the ability to command confidence, listen well and resolve conflict. Examples of changes: greater financial independence; changes to governance structures; major additions to premises; better outward links and more public policy engagement; a collaborative style of work in both contexts. 4. Careful judgement and a respect for arguments, and for those who put them forward, has been my mainstay in a career spanning academic work, administration, public policy and the charitable sector. I retain considerable faith in the power of argument and in the willingness of most people to respond when evidence is clear and properly presented. When chairing I rarely use a vote to resolve deadlocks—and never as an alternative to exploring issues or taking others seriously. In my experience, a collegial style of decision making is ultimately more efficient, provided that the preparation of issues and papers is good and forward planning effective. 5. I have worked with an enormous variety of people on many different projects, and am sufficiently interested in them to find it enjoyable. I constantly encounter new fields, people and projects and get to know them rapidly. My style is generally collaborative and I have long since learned to let others take credit for whatever an institution achieves. 6. I am comfortable with public and media attention, while having few illusions that the latter will always get the right end of the stick (I have just submitted evidence to the Leveson Inquiry[…]). I have good control of what I say in public and am used to dealing with media questions; I listen and question with care, and focus on responding to others’ concerns, which often helps to defuse misunderstandings and hostile comments. 7. I understand both the Nolan principles and wider public service values, and work within them at all times. I am particularly interested in ensuring that appeals to openness are
Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission 17
taken in an intelligent way, rather than being viewed as no more than a duty to disclose. In my view intelligent openness in public life is a matter of communicating in ways that ensure that others can not only locate but also understand and assess material. 8. I am not disqualified under any of the headings listed. 9. My current institutional commitments are listed in my cv. I am thoroughly familiar with the need to update declarations of interest regularly. I do not believe that I currently have any conflict of interest, or that anybody would perceive that I had one.
18 Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament
Session 2012–13 First Report Draft Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Remedial) Order HL Paper 8/HC 166 2012: second Report Second Report Implementation of the Right of Disabled People to HL Paper 23/HC 429 Independent Living: Government Response to the Committee's Twenty–third Report of Session 2010– 12 Third Report Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and HL Paper 48/HC 634 Human Rights Commission
Session 2010–12 First Report Work of the Committee in 2009–10 HL Paper 32/HC 459
Second Report Legislative Scrutiny: Identity Documents Bill HL Paper 36/HC 515
Third Report Legislative Scrutiny: Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. HL Paper 41/HC 535 Bill (Preliminary Report) Fourth Report Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc Bill (Second Report); HL Paper 53/HC 598 and other Bills Fifth Report Proposal for the Asylum and Immigration HL Paper 54/HC 599 (Treatment of Claimants, etc) Act 2004 (Remedial) Order 2010 Sixth Report Legislative Scrutiny: (1) Superannuation Bill; (2) HL Paper 64/HC 640 Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill Seventh Report Legislative Scrutiny: Public Bodies Bill; other Bills HL Paper 86/HC 725
Eighth Report Renewal of Control Orders Legislation HL Paper 106/HC 838
Ninth Report Draft Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of HL Paper 111/HC 859 Claimants, etc) Act 2004 (Remedial) Order 2010— second Report Tenth Report Facilitating Peaceful Protest HL Paper 123/HC 684
Eleventh Report Legislative Scrutiny: Police Reform and Social HL Paper 138/HC 1020 Responsibility Bill Twelfth Report Legislative Scrutiny: Armed Forces Bill HL Paper 145/HC 1037
Thirteenth Report Legislative Scrutiny: Education Bill HL Paper 154/HC 1140
Fourteenth Report Terrorism Act 2000 (Remedial) Order 2011 HL Paper 155/HC 1141
Fifteenth Report The Human Rights Implications of UK Extradition HL Paper 156/HC 767 Policy Sixteenth Report Legislative Scrutiny: Terrorism Prevention and HL Paper 180/HC 1432 Investigation Measures Bill Seventeenth Report The Terrorism Act 2000 (Remedial) Order 2011: HL Paper 192/HC 1483 Stop and Search without Reasonable Suspicion (second Report)
Appointment of the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission 19
Eighteenth Report Legislative Scrutiny: Protection of Freedoms Bill HL Paper 195/HC 1490
Nineteenth Report Proposal for the Sexual Offences Act 2003 HL Paper 200/HC 1549 (Remedial) Order 2011 Twentieth Report Legislative Scrutiny: Terrorism Prevention and HL Paper 204/HC 1571 Investigation Measures Bill (Second Report) Twenty-first Report Legislative Scrutiny: Welfare Reform Bill HL Paper 233/HC 1704
Twenty-second Report Legislative Scrutiny: Legal Aid, Sentencing and HL Paper 237/HC 1717 Punishment of Offenders Bill Twenty-third Report Implementation of the Right of Disabled People to HL Paper 257/HC 1074 Independent Living Twenty-fourth Report The Justice and Security Green Paper HL Paper 286/HC 1777