Oliver Dowden, Minister of Implementation on 21st November at 10 Downing Street spoke about the significance of diversification of public appointments in public bodies. Every year, the Government makes over 1000 public appointments to the boards of 500 public bodies, which between them spend over £200bn of public money a year.
Public bodies play an important role in public life, across sectors from healthcare to education, criminal justice to trade, energy, security and defence. Roles of public bodies include NHS England, the British Museum and the Big Lottery Fund. Public appointees provide leadership, strategic direction, and hold public bodies to account; or they provide specialist expertise. At present, 43% of our public appointees are women, and only 10% are from an ethnic minority background.
Minister for Implementation, Oliver Downden
Speaking about how it is important to create more awareness among the people about public appointments, the Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Dowden said to Asian Voice-
“We are trying to pull in more talent for engagement in the process of decision making. And this [event] is only the first of the series. The real challenge lies not in the awareness building measure but in building confidence among the people that they should come forward and apply to such positions.”
Rachel Wang who is the trustee of British National Portrait Gallery, was also part of the panel and speaking about her love for art said how her husband's support in the application process helped her to amalgamate her love for art and focus on the gallery's need at the digital front. She said-
“Diversification is important because they need our voices to be a part of the decision making process.”
Lord Jitesh Gadhia from Northwood who has played an important role in connecting emerging market companies with developed markets, especially in developing countries like India, China, and Brazil said “you manage what you measure and it is about bringing that expertise in these public bodies which is so valuable.”
Lord Gadhia who was appointed by HM Treasury to the Board of UK Financial Investments in 2014 also spoke about the two-way advantage of giving and gaining in these public appointments.
Keith Fraser who is a retired Police Officer, and has worked with the City of Wolverhampton to prevent gang involvement and youth violence was also present at the event. He led an innovative preventative project, targeting over 7000 young people, working with Sport England. He was also the strategic Police lead for the Princes Trust across the West Midlands. He is now a trustee and patron of three children focused charities.
