Website of the UK government

What is a public body?

There are over 800 public bodies sponsored by UK government departments. They play a real part in shaping and influencing national policy and decision-making. Some, like the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, provide advice; others deliver public services, like the Training and Development Agency for Schools.

Public bodies operate independently of ministers, although ministers remain ultimately responsible for them. They are also known as non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs).

Becoming a public appointee

The most important part of taking up a public appointment is being prepared to give your time, skills, knowledge, and commitment. Some appointments require specialist knowledge and expertise, but many don’t. Most appointments are part time and need around two to three days per month plus time to read papers and prepare for meetings.

A public appointment gives you the chance to:

• give something back, contribute your expertise for the benefit of the community and help influence decisions that affect everyone's lives
  
  
• meet people from all walks of life who also want to make a difference
  
  
• develop your career, gain board experience and extend your skills -employers recognise the development opportunity a public appointment can offer
  
  
• return from a career break or maternity leave

Some appointments are paid - expenses like travel, childcare and eldercare are usually reimbursed.

Diversity

Diversity of boards of public bodies needs to be improved and so applications from women, people with minority ethnic backgrounds and disabled people are particularly welcomed.

Experience gained from political work can be valid for a role, but political affiliation or activity will not affect your chances. When you apply you will be asked to complete a political activity form required by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. This is for monitoring purposes and does not play any part in your selection.

A very small number of bodies need political balance and this is normally done by asking political parties to nominate candidates for the appointments.

• Diversity and standards in public appointments

Your skills

Public appointments cover a wide range of responsibilities. In general, the following are likely to be important:

• commitment to devote the necessary time to prepare and to participate actively in the work of the body
• courage to ask questions that no one else has asked or query why a certain approach is being recommended
• common sense to be able to assess the impact of decisions on all sections of the community and bring an independent view to the debate
• communication skills with the ability to listen and to express your views; to negotiate and influence and to deal with all groups, including specialists and experts
• clarity to assess a situation quickly, accurately and even-handedly; to think strategically and to see the wider picture
  

This experience could be demonstrated in your career or in a variety of other ways such as voluntary work. Perhaps you have been a school governor, a member of a housing trust, a chamber of commerce or been involved in a pressure group.
You will be asked to complete an application form. For more information about the types of questions you may be asked, use the link below.

• Applying for a public appointment

The appointment process

The way that the best candidate is chosen depends on the post. A major national appointment, attracting many candidates, will have a more complicated process than a specialist post on a smaller, advisory body.

However, in general:

• all appointments are made on merit, based on your talent and skills 
• an independent assessor will be involved throughout to make sure the process is fair, open and transparent
• the criteria for the post (the skills and qualities necessary) will be made clear to you - either in the original advertisement or in an information pack (on request)
• you will be asked to complete an application form to show how your skills and qualities suit the post you are applying for
• your application will be assessed - this may involve a formal ‘sift’ and then an interview or just an informal interview
• the minister, or appointing authority, will make the final selection from those recommended by the interview panel (NHS appointments are made by the Appointments Commission and appointments to tribunals are generally made by the Lord Chancellor)
• the successful candidate will be sent a letter of appointment and all other applicants informed

• The Appointments Commission Opens new window

Commissioner for Public Appointments

The independent Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates, monitors and reports on public appointments procedures.

The Code of Practice specifies that appointments should be made based on merit and that care must be taken, at every stage, not to discriminate on any grounds. 

• Code of Practice for ministerial appointments to public bodies Opens new window

You can visit the website of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments  and find out more about the role and its responsibilities.

• Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments Opens new window

More useful links

• Civil Service website - public appointments information Opens new window