Audit and Risk Assurance Committee Chair

Client Profile

The client is a government body based in the UK. We worked alongside them and the Department’s Public Appointments team to support them in the appointment of a new Chair of Audit, Risk and Assurance.

Client Requirement
The client had a strong desire to attract c-suite level individuals from large B to C businesses in the private sector, and large, complex public sector organisations. This was a UK wide search that targeted both experienced NEDs and those for who this would be their first NED role. More specifically, we were looking at those who could demonstrate significant experience in the leadership of complex change as well as individuals who were qualified accountants with (executive) board level Finance experience.

Our Approach & Methodology

During the course of the search, we reached out to in excess of 120 individuals across the public and private sectors. Markets included Financial Services, Telecommunications, Retail, Professional Services, Utilities, Government, Regulation, and the NHS. As a result of our proactive approaches, we were able to secure the interest of over 30 search applicants (total application numbers were in excess of 75).

Following the longlisting exercise, 12 were selected for interview with Miles Advisory. All bar 1 of the 12 were directly generated by our networks. Following our interviews, a short list of 4 ARAC Chair candidates were selected (25% ethnocultural diverse, 50% Female).

Outcome

Having interviewed the 4 shortlisted candidates, 2 were deemed appointable and recommendations were made to the Secretary of State. The chosen candidate was an experienced NED who had Chaired (either as main Chair or ARAC) organisations at the interface of the public/private sectors and Gov Co’s owned by local authorities. She had also sat on the boards of regulators and charities, but her executive career was built within the private sector (Investment and Aviation). Her appointment was confirmed by No. 10 in October of 2023.