Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

UK government aims to increase diversity in public appointment roles

by LAUREN CODLING

THE UK is looking to encourage diversity in public appointment roles, it was stressed last week during an exclusive event in Downing Street.


Each year, the government makes more than 1,000 public appointments to the boards of 500 public bodies, which between them spend over £200 billion of public money annually.

However, according to current statistics, only 10 per cent of public appointees are from an ethnic minority background, while 43 per cent are women.

Roles of public bodies include appointments within the NHS, the National Portrait Gallery and the British Museum.

The minister for implementation, Oliver Dowden, addressed the importance of diversity within public body roles.

Speaking to Eastern Eye at the event last Wednesday (21), he insisted the government

was not just trying to “tick boxes” but truly aiming to recruit talent.

Dowden, who was appointed as the parliamentary secretary at the Cabinet Office in January, admitted he was aware there could be challenges in persuading some individuals to engage. He believed that people might think they could not apply, as it was not accessible to them.

“It doesn’t matter what background you are from,” he said. “[…] We want to find the talent out there.”

Addressing the audience, Dowden said it was “vitally important” to have diversity in the UK public roles, and public body appointment roles should reflect the country’s communities and ethnic backgrounds.

“There is a moral imperative for that happening,” he said.

Far more importantly, he added, was the genuine value that diversity brings to decision and policy making.

“We want the best decisions to be made,” he said, citing research which showed companies

with greater ethnic diversity are 35 per cent more likely to have above average financial returns.

Businessman Lord Jitesh Gadhia, who was part of a public appointee panel, spoke about his own experiences. The investment banker said he was “delighted” to be speaking at the event, stating that the issue was close to his own heart.

Reflecting on his own career, Lord Gadhia referred to his first public appointment role at the age of 29, when he was appointed as a trustee of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity in 1998.

Talking about the positive impact holding a public appointment could have on an individual, Lord Gadhia said the rewards of the position came in many forms.

“Firstly, it forms your own personal development and broadens your horizons, being able to look at things through a lens of public policy,” Lord Gadhia, who is also the non-executive director at UK Government Investments, said. “Also, being exposed to talented people in the civil service and learning from the experiences of other board members.”

A number of entrepreneurs and public speakers attended the event, including businessman Dr Rami Ranger CBE; Kulveer Ranger, vice-president of strategy and communications for IT services Atos UK&I Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE, founder of 7 Traits Leadership Learning, and Simon Woolley, director of Operation Black Vote (OBV).

More For You

Sanjay Bhandari's extradition appeal opens in London
Sanjay Bhandari

Sanjay Bhandari's extradition appeal opens in London

SANJAY BHANDARI, a consultant in the defence sector wanted in India on alleged tax evasion and money-laundering charges, began an appeal in the High Court in London against his extradition order.

The 62-year-old businessman had won permission to appeal against a November 2022 Westminster Magistrates’ Court ruling clearing his extradition earlier this year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rupert Murdoch looks on as he walks on the day of the hearing on the contentious matter of succession of Rupert Murdoch's global television and publishing empire, in Reno, Nevada, US, September 23, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)
Rupert Murdoch looks on as he walks on the day of the hearing on the contentious matter of succession of Rupert Murdoch's global television and publishing empire, in Reno, Nevada, US, September 23, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)

Murdoch's bid to secure eldest son's control of media empire fails

RUPERT MURDOCH’s attempt to secure control of his media empire for his eldest son, Lachlan, has reportedly failed, according to a US news report on Monday.

The Murdoch family, which oversees influential outlets like Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and various British and Australian media organisations, has often been compared to the fictional dynasty in the TV series Succession. Like the show, real-life disputes within the Murdoch family have centred on control of the business after Rupert Murdoch’s death.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kamlesh Pattni faces UK sanctions for illicit gold trade
Pattni stands accused of central involvement in the infamous Goldenberg scandal. (Representational image: iStock)

Kamlesh Pattni faces UK sanctions for illicit gold trade

THE UK and US have imposed financial sanctions on Kamlesh Pattni, a British-Kenyan businessman with a controversial financial history. The punitive measures target Pattni and four of his close family members, including his wife and brother-in-law, reported the BBC.

The sanctions, announced by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, will result in the immediate freezing of assets, representing a significant intervention in what officials describe as a complex network of illicit gold trading spanning multiple African nations.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sanjay Malhotra speaks during the 67th Foundation Day of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in New Delhi on December 4, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)
Sanjay Malhotra speaks during the 67th Foundation Day of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in New Delhi on December 4, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)

India appoints Sanjay Malhotra as new central bank governor

INDIA has appointed Sanjay Malhotra, a senior finance ministry bureaucrat, as the new governor of its central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The announcement was made on Monday, a day before the term of outgoing governor Shaktikanta Das was set to expire.

Keep ReadingShow less
The new order includes 10 widebody A350 planes and 90 narrowbody A320 family aircraft.
The new order includes 10 widebody A350 planes and 90 narrowbody A320 family aircraft.

Air India orders 100 more Airbus jets to expand fleet

AIR INDIA has placed an order for 100 more Airbus aircraft to expand its fleet and enhance connectivity, the Tata Group-owned carrier announced on Monday.

The new order includes 10 widebody A350 planes and 90 narrowbody A320 family aircraft. The purchase is in addition to the 470 aircraft Air India ordered last year from Airbus and Boeing, the airline said in a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less