Written question asked by Mike Wood (Conservative) on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 January 2026. It was answered by Kate Dearden (Labour) on Friday, 30 January 2026 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.

Public Appointments Commissioner: Correspondence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Commissioner for Public Appointment’s annual report 2024-25, published December 2025, Appendix: direct appointments, what the business case was for appointing a non-executive director for three years without open and fair competition; and if he will publish relevant correspondence to and from the Public Appointments Commissioner.

Answer: The rationale for appointing without competition was made public at the time of announcement, following consultation with the Commissioner. A fair and open competition was undertaken with a strong applicant field. However, it needed to be strengthened further by the appointment of Nita Clarke, who is bringing vital skills in employee engagement, partnership and employee voices in the workplace drawn from a distinguished career including as Vice President for Employee Relations at the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 107375
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Commissioner for Public Appointments: Correspondence
Monday, 2 March 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Correspondence Commissioner for Public Appointments
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk