Message from the Chairman
Welcome to the website of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments.
The Advisory Committee acts independently to advise the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and former Minsters on applications made to it under the Business Appointment Rules, about appointments former Ministers, senior civil servants and other Crown servants wish to take up on leaving government.
It is long-standing government policy that it is in the public interest that those with experience in government should be able to move into business or other areas of public life and it is equally important that in the taking up of an appointment, there is no cause for suspicion of impropriety.
The Government's Business Appointments Rules were revised in February 2011.
All Crown servants wishing to take up an appointment must make an application under the Rules. The independent Committee advises on applications at the most senior levels. Other levels are dealt with by the relevant department. The Committee also advises on applications made by former Ministers and special advisers (at all levels).
In advising on an application, the Committee must consider the public interest in light of the Government’s Rules and take into account also the individual’s rights under Human Rights legislation and the law on restraint of trade. The Committee may advise on a range of specific conditions to be applied in relation to any appointment.
The Rules apply to all appointments within 2 years of leaving office or Crown service. Once an individual notifies the Committee that he or she has taken up an appointment, the Committee will make public the advice and any conditions imposed by publishing details here.
Ian Lang
Lord Lang of Monkton