Recruitment Particulars Non-Executive Chair Student Loans Company

Transcription

1 Recruitment Particulars Summer 2013

2 Introduction from The Rt Hon David Willetts MP The (SLC) is crucial for students and universities alike. It has a crucial role in processing student finance applications UK-wide (including over 1.3 million applications during academic year 2012/13 alone). This is a pivotal point for SLC. It already faces a challenging delivery landscape, including changes arising from Higher Education Reforms, Further Education Loans, Part time Loans, the centralisation of eligibility processing for Wales, and work arising from plans to sell the Mortgage Style and Pre- Browne Income Contingent Repayment loan books. At the same time, SLC is due to launch a major programme of transformation, replacing its ageing core ICT systems and fully embracing digital technologies to improve radically the way it delivers services to customers. This will all need to be achieved whilst maintaining operational performance levels which will be under close scrutiny from Ministers, SLC s customers, and the HE Sector. I therefore look forward to appointing, in conjunction with Ministers from the Devolved UK Administrations, an exceptional individual who has the personal qualities and experience to support the Board and the Chief Executive Officer in successfully steering the organisation through these challenges. Rt Hon David Willetts, MP Minister for Universities and Science 2

3 The Company The is a non-profit making organisation set up in 1989 to provide loans and grants to students in universities and colleges in the UK. It is incorporated as a company limited by shares under the Companies Acts and is wholly in public ownership the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills being the majority shareholder and lead sponsor Department, with the remainder of shares held by the Devolved Administrations. SLC works with BIS, Local Authorities in Wales, the Student Awards Agency for Scotland, the Education and Library boards in Northern Ireland, Higher Education Institutions and HM Revenue & Customs, to provide student support in the UK. The SLC s primary role is to: pay loans and grants to students pay tuition fees to colleges and universities collect repayments, through HM Revenue and Customs and direct from borrowers make maintenance payments to school pupils aged over 16 in Northern Ireland and Wales pay bursaries and scholarships on behalf of universities and colleges run all the administration and processing associated with these activities In FY SLC supported 1.34 million customers, paying out 6 billion in maintenance loans and grants, and 4 billion in tuition fees to Higher and Further Education providers. Directly, as well as in partnership with HMRC, it recorded collections of 1.7 billion in loan repayments. The SLC has recently clarified its mission and vision statements as follows: Mission: We enable our customers to invest in their futures by delivering secure, accurate and efficient assessment, payment and repayment services. Vision: Our vision is to be valued as a digital, customer-focused, centre of excellence. Locations The operates across four UK sites; Central Glasgow and Hillington on the outskirts of Glasgow Colwyn Bay, North Wales Darlington, North East England London (shared facilities with the Higher Education Funding Council for England). The Chair is expected to travel to Glasgow, London and other SLC locations as required. Most of SLC s staff are based between its headquarters in central Glasgow and Darlington. SLC s central Glasgow office houses operational staff, management and administration functions, product development teams, and 300-plus specialists in Information & Communication Technology. The site accommodates part of a virtual contact centre that handles over four million telephone enquiries annually on all matters relating to the administration of Student Finance and loan account repayment. In addition to handling calls on student support, they work closely with higher education providers in the delivery of student payments and tuition fee payments. 3

4 The Darlington Office was established in 2009 to administer all aspects of the provision for Student Finance for English Students following a decision to centralise the work previously carried out by Local Authorities. The SLC have full responsibility for students throughout the end-to-end process, starting out with guiding prospective students to understand what support they are entitled to, through the application process, and all the way to ultimately repaying their loans, once they have left Higher Education. SLC operate a bi-lingual Customer Support Office in Colwyn Bay, North Wales. This facility provides current and potential students and their sponsors with information about student finance. The EU Students Team is also based in Darlington, having transferred from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills to SLC operations in 2009, and deals with the administration of tuition fee loans for EU students. Management & Governance The Company is led by a Board of Directors and a Chair. The Board is responsible for: overseeing the implementation of the SLC s Delivery Strategy, ensuring it is consistent with the overall strategic direction and the policy and resources framework determined by Ministers in the four UK Administrations; for ensuring that SLC s performance against its aims, objectives, performance targets and plans is on track; for ensuring that the Company effectively and efficiently discharges its statutory functions; and for ensuring that it acts in line with Government policy and that the highest standards of corporate governance are observed. The Company s Executive Team are responsible for managing the Operational and Support functions of the Company. Mick Laverty, who was appointed as SLC Chief Executive in January 2013, leads the Executive Management Team and is personally responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of the SLC. As the Company s Accounting Officer he is also responsible for safeguarding the public funds under his charge and for the stewardship of funds administered by SLC on behalf of Departments. The Chief Executive is also responsible for representing SLC s performance to the general public. The Chair is responsible for assessing the performance of the Chief Executive and assists the Chief Executive in assessing the performance of members of the Executive Team. For more information on The please visit the Company s website: Current Situation Since its formation in 1990, the SLC has seen demand for its services rise year on year: in academic year 2012/13 alone SLC processed 1.2 million applications from UK students. Following widely publicised service problems in 2009, SLC has worked hard to improve its record of operational delivery and significantly improve service levels. Having reached a position of relative operational stability, the Company is now embarking on a major period of organisational change, which must be managed in parallel with a demanding set of delivery requirements from the UK Administrations. 4

5 SLC is taking responsibility for an increasing number of delivery aspects. These include changes arising from HE Reforms, Further Education Loans, Part time Loans, the centralisation of eligibility processing for Wales, and work arising from plans to monetise the Mortgage Style and ICR loan books. The Company faces a challenge to ensure that, alongside providing exemplary customer service, it has the capacity and capability to deliver the complex, and potentially competing, requirements of all four UK Administrations in an efficient and effective way. Alongside this, SLC has already begun a major programme of transformation, which will require strong leadership. It is planning to invest up to 100m to upgrade and replace its core systems over the next ten years and, in line with the Government s digital by default agenda, dramatically improve how it delivers services to its customers. The first major investment decision is due to be made in autumn The Government s White Paper Students at the Heart of the System, published June 2011, set out its plans for the HE Sector following changes to funding arrangements for higher education in England. These changes have led to a reduction in grant funding and an increase in student funding - albeit that students are now able to access full tuition loans funded by Government for the cost of their course. As a result, SLC has become the primary source of funding for Higher Education Institutions in England and as such has an increasingly higher profile within the HE sector. The SLC, working alongside HEFCE and other agencies in the HE sector, has been charged by Ministers with developing a regulatory system for higher education that as far as possible and in the absence of legislation puts students at the heart of the system whilst creating the conditions for institutions to prosper and providing effective accountability for public investment. The successful applicant will be expected to jointly lead the Regulatory Partnership Group with the HEFCE Chair, providing advice to Ministers and the HE Sector. The context for the next few years features: Oversight of a high-profile and increasingly complex delivery landscape, ensuring SLC has the capacity and capability to deliver the requirements of all four UK Administrations in an efficient and effective way. Leading SLC through a major programme of transformation, replacing core ICT systems and dramatically improving how it delivers services to its customers. Increasing influence in the HE Sector, both as primary source of funding for HE institutions and provider of expert advice to Ministers to inform policy. 5

6 The Role Description and Person Specification The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and Devolved Administration Ministers are seeking to appoint a new Chair of the SLC Board from 1 November 2013 who can offer: Outstanding experience at very senior Board level in either the private, public or not-forprofit sectors, combined with the personal qualities to lead the Board and advise Ministers. An ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and engage at the highest levels across the Higher Education sector. A proven track record of successfully leading an organisation through significant transformational change. Key relationships The nature of SLC s extensive stakeholder landscape is evolving as a result of the 2012 HE Reform programme. Some of the key partnerships are with: Ministers and officials in the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, the Devolved Administrations, Cabinet Office and No.10. Students and their representative bodies SLC s core customer base. Providers of Higher and Further Education including universities and colleges in increasingly diverse sectors. Description Candidates will be required to support the Board and the CEO in steering the organisation through a process of transformational change affecting all areas of the Company. Government will need to continue to engage with the SLC Board around the future corporate structure of the Company. As Chair the successful applicant will be expected to: Chair meetings of the SLC Board; Provide leadership and strategic guidance to the Company; Assess the performance of the Chief Executive Officer; Develop and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders; Act on the Company s behalf in its dealings with others at the highest level, including Ministers. This non-executive Chair appointment will require attendance at Board meetings (11 per year), Board Sub-Committee meetings and other ad-hoc meetings as required. The current time demand on a non-executive Chair is around 8 days per month, but occasionally circumstances may require additional time to be spent. 6

7 The Person Specification We are looking for exceptional candidates who can provide; 1 Outstanding experience at very senior Board level in either the private, public or not-forprofit sectors, combined with the personal qualities to lead the Board and advise Ministers. 2. Customer Service experience of delivering with a strong customer focus; 3. An ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders at the highest levels in their organisations; 4. Strong leadership, including experience of developing and implementing a strategic vision and successfully leading an organisation through significant transformational change. Candidates will need to demonstrate all of the following: 5. An understanding and knowledge of the Higher Education sector; 6. An ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders; 7. Experience of chairing and leading meetings at a very senior level to ensure the Board achieves its strategic aims and objectives; 8. An ability to undertake effective performance and risk management and to deliver results; 9. An ability to supervise the efficient conduct of the Board s functions and operations; 10. An ability to represent the Board and its policies to both Government and customers. 7

8 Terms and Conditions Location Monthly Board meetings are mainly held in SLC s offices in Glasgow, though on occasion may be held elsewhere in the UK. Remuneration 50,000 per annum for a commitment of around 8 days per month. Expenses Expenses for travel and subsistence and other reasonable expenses incurred as part of the post s responsibilities will be reimbursed. Pension The post is not pensionable. Term of appointment Up to three years with the possibility of reappointment subject to satisfactory performance appraisal. Disqualifications The Chair is disqualified from being a Member of Parliament. The House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 refers. 8

9 How to Apply & Queries If you are interested in being considered for this position please: Examine the Role Description and Person Specification carefully to assess whether you are suitable for this role. Complete the application form, including the enclosed monitoring forms. It is important you complete the application form in full. This is to ensure the selection panel can easily find the information they require in order to compare the responses from all candidates equally and transparently against each other. For this reason, applications from candidates who have not completed the application form will not be considered, and CVs alone will not be acceptable. CVs maybe included as an additional attachment. All information will be treated in strictest confidence. However, if you are successful, the information provided on the political activity form will be published with the announcement of your appointment. Application forms may be passed, in confidence, to the Commissioner for Public Appointments and the Commissioner s auditors for the purposes of complaints investigation and audit. Monitoring Forms In the application form, we have provided specific forms for you to fill in and return on equal opportunities and political activity. These are for monitoring purposes. By collecting data and analysing the data of those applying and obtaining a public appointment, we can improve our diversity strategy. These forms are not part of the selection process and will be treated in confidence. They will be kept separate from your application and not be seen by the selection panel. Submitting Your Application Please clearly quote reference number on your application. The closing date for applications is Monday 23 September 2013 at 1700hrs. Late applications cannot be considered. Soft copy applications are preferred and should be sent to: lucy.king@veredus.co.uk. Hard copy applications can be sent to : Ed Pritchard Director & Head of Education Veredus Ludgate House 245 Blackfriars Road London SE1 9UF Queries Veredus will respect the privacy of any initial approach or expression of interest in this role, whether formal or informal. Please call Ed Pritchard or Hilda Gjika on

10 The Recruitment Process All applications will be acknowledged. Candidates who are selected for interview will be informed by telephone and invited to a preliminary interview at the offices of Veredus in London. Veredus interviews will be conducted by Ed Pritchard (Veredus Director and Head of Education) and Professor Sir Deian Hopkin (Veredus Advisor). Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by the selection board which will comprise of: Olivia Grant Public Appointments Assessor for the Office of the Commissioner of Public Appointments, and panel chair Matthew Hilton - Director of Higher Education, Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) Baroness Perry of Southwark (Independent Member) Rebekah Widdowfield - Lead HE Official for Scottish Government Andrew Wathey Vice Chancellor, Northumbria University Mark Russell - Chief Executive, BIS Shareholder Executive Ed Welsh - Executive Director, Commercial Models, Cabinet Office The selection board will then agree on which candidate/s will be invited to meet the Minister of State for Universities and Science (Rt Hon David Willetts, MP) (accompanied by the Chair of the Selection Panel, Olivia Grant) prior to their making a final appointment. Please see the timetable below. Stage Indicative dates Strict Close date Application sift meeting Panel interviews Ministerial recommendation process Monday 23 September, 1700hrs w/c 30 September w/c 4 November To follow Expenses Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed to candidates who are required to attend an interview. 10

11 Public Appointment Code of Practice The Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies will apply to this recruitment exercise. A key principle of this guidance is selection based on merit. Further information may also be found at the Commissioner for Public Appointments website: Standards of Conduct and Conflicts of Interest Successful candidates will be required to show commitment to the Seven Public Principles of Public Life, as drawn up by the Committee on Standards in Public Life, more usually known as the Nolan Principles. These can be found at: Candidates invited to interview will be questioned about any real or perceived conflicts of interest. These do not constitute an automatic bar to appointment, but they must be manageable. Conflicts could include: financial arrangements, eg fees or shareholdings, of the candidate, business associates or close family; membership of organisations whose aims might be perceived to be in conflict with those of the Office of Fair Access; and any activity which, if revealed after appointment, could cause embarrassment to BIS or the Minister. Equal Opportunities BIS is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and welcomes applications from candidates irrespective of race, age, disability, gender, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, transgender or working patterns. Applications can be accepted in alternative formats, this candidate brief can be made available in different formats, such as audio tapes, Braille or large print etc. To discuss your requirements please contact Lucy King at Veredus, tel or by lucy.king@veredus.co.uk Complaints If you have reason to complain about the way your application for appointment was handled, you should contact the Department in the first instance. The contact is Joan Smith, tel or by joan.smith@bis.gsi.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response, you can contact the Commissioner for Public Appointments. A leaflet explaining the process is available at: 11

12 Application Form Ref: This application form is separated into 4 sections. Please read each page carefully and ensure every question is completed. The boxes will automatically expand if you are filling in the form electronically. Otherwise you can continue any answer on separate sheets if you wish, but please clearly mark each sheet with your name and the part of the form that it relates to. Applications should be sent to: lucy.king@verdus.co.uk or by hard copy to Ed Pritchard Director & Head of Education Veredus Ludgate House 245 Blackfriars Road London SE1 9UF The closing date for applications is Monday 23 September at 1700hrs Late applications will not be considered. 12

13 SECTION ONE: PERSONAL DETAILS Title (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Other [please specify]) Surname First Name Home Address Preferred Contact Numbers/ address Other e.g. Business Contact Details 13

14 POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Please give details of any business or other interests or any personal connections which, if you are appointed, could be misconstrued or cause embarrassment to the Department for Business Innovation & Skills. These could include financial interests or share ownership, active connections with a field of expertise in which the organisations works, membership of societies, activities, associations or employment of a partner or friend in the particular field in which the public body operates. Any potential conflicts of interest detailed here will not prevent you going forward to interview but may if appropriate, be explored with you during your interview to establish how you would address the issue(s) should you be successful in your application. PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS CURRENTLY HELD Body Period Of Appointment Government Department 14

15 REFERENCES Please give the details of two people who may be asked to act as referees for you. They will be expected to have authoritative and personal knowledge of your achievements. The first referee will be asked to comment in a professional or other activity-based capacity. The second referee will be approached in a personal capacity. The referees will be approached only if you are to be invited for interview following the initial sift. Reference One: Professional/Achievements Name Address Telephone Reference Two: Personal Name Address Telephone 15

16 SECTION TWO: RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Please respond to each of the criteria in points 1-10 of the Person Specification. Make sure that you give concrete examples of your activities and their outcomes to demonstrate your suitability and help the panel assess you. Please do not rely on or substitute a CV in this section Outstanding experience at very senior Board level in either the private, public or not-forprofit sectors, combined with the personal qualities to lead the Board and advise Ministers. Customer Service experience of delivering with a strong customer focus. An ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders at the highest levels in their organisations. 16

17 Strong leadership, including experience of developing and implementing a strategic vision and successfully leading an organisation through significant transformational change. An understanding and knowledge of the Higher Education sector. An ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders. 17

18 Experience of chairing and leading meetings at a very senior level to ensure the Board achieves its strategic aims and objectives. An ability to undertake effective performance and risk management and to deliver results. An ability to supervise the efficient conduct of the Board s functions and operations. 18

19 An ability to represent the Board and its policies to both Government and customers. 19

20 SECTION THREE: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Please include details of both your career history (if applicable) and other relevant experience. This might include employment, voluntary experience, involvement in the community, committee experience, caring responsibilities and should include any public appointments held. Alternatively, for this section alone, you may provide a CV. Name and Address of Employer or Organisation Title / Positions Held Details (Including Nature of Work and Time Commitment) Dates From and To 20

21 DECLARATION I declare that the information given on this application is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge. I have also read the information pack and can confirm that I am eligible to be considered for appointment to this body. I also certify that I will immediately inform Veredus of any changes in circumstances that affect the answers I have given. Signed Date In order to help us monitor the effectiveness of the way in which we publicise our appointments and plan for future recruitment rounds, please tell us how you found out about this vacancy. 21

22 SECTION FOUR: PUBLIC APPOINTMENT MONITORING FORMS These following forms will not be seen by the selection panel during the long and shortlisting selection process and meetings. If you are selected for interview the Political Activity Questionnaire will be made available to the panel to allow the panel to explore such activity in the context of your ability to perform the role. Equal opportunities and diversity questionnaire Political activity questionnaire 22

23 The intention of monitoring and analysis is to establish if there are different success rates between genders, people of different sexual orientation, ages, different ethnic backgrounds or faiths, and people with disabilities. If there are differences in success rates it will enable action to be taken to ensure that no group is treated unfairly. Your answers will be treated confidentially and will not affect your application in any way. Personal Details: Title Surname: First name: Mr / Mrs / Miss / Ms / Dr / Other Age: Gender: Male Female Prefer not to say Gender Identity (if appropriate) If you identify as transsexual, transgender (in that you have effected a permanent change of gender identity) or as intersex which group do you identify with? Transsexual Transgender Intersex Working Pattern: Part time Full time Job Share Other... Ethnic origin: Please tick against one of the following: Asian or Asian British Bangladeshi Indian Pakistani Any other Asian background Please specify below if you wish Mixed White and Black Caribbean White and Black African Asian and White Any other mixed background Please specify below if you wish Black or Black British African Caribbean Any other Black background Please specify below if you wish White British English Irish Scottish Welsh Any other White background Please specify below if you wish Chinese or Other ethnic group Prefer not to say Chinese Any other Please specify below if you wish

24 Disability: Please tick against one of the following: Do you consider yourself to have a disability under the Equality Act 2010? In the Act, a person has a disability if: they have a physical or mental impairment the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to perform normal day-to-day activities For the purposes of the Act, these words have the following meanings: 'substantial' means more than minor or trivial 'long-term' means that the effect of the impairment has lasted or is likely to last for at least twelve months (there are special rules covering recurring or fluctuating conditions) 'normal day-to-day activities' include everyday things like eating, washing, walking and going shopping Yes No Prefer not to say Please describe the nature of your disability This information is provided for monitoring purposes only if you need any reasonable adjustments you should arrange these separately. Religion or belief: Please tick against one of the following No religion Baha i Buddhist Christian Hindu Jain Jewish Muslim Sikh Other Please specify below if you wish.. Prefer not to say Sexual Orientation: Please tick against one of the following Bisexual Gay Woman/Lesbian Gay Man/Homosexual Heterosexual/straight 24

25 Prefer not to say 25

26 POLITICAL ACTIVITY QUESTION All applicants for a public appointment should complete the question below. This question is asked as it enables the monitoring of political activity of candidates for a public appointment in so far as it is already in the public domain. Neither activity nor affiliation is a criterion for appointment (except where statute dictates specific representation). If you are successful, the information provided will be published with the announcement of your appointment. Please indicate which of the following activities you have undertaken during the past five years by ticking the appropriate box and by providing details of your involvement. Name the party or body for which you have been active. If you have been or are an Independent or have sought or obtained office as a representative of a particular interest group, you should state this. You should tick all relevant categories. Obtained office as a Local Councillor, MP, MEP etc Stood as a candidate for one of the above offices Spoken on behalf of a party or candidate. Acted as a political agent Held office such as Chair, Treasurer or Secretary of a local branch of a party Canvassed on behalf of a party or helped at election Undertaken any political activity which you consider relevant Made a recordable donation to a political party 1 None of the above activities apply. Name of Party of which activity undertaken: 1 The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 requires the Electoral Commission to publish a register of recordable donations (donations from an individual totalling more than 5000 in any calendar year, or more than 1000 if made to a subsidiary accounting unit such as a constituency association, local branch, women s or youth organisations). These provisions became effective from 16 February

27 DETAILS OF INVOLVEMENT Note: It is appreciated that such activities may have given you relevant skills, including experience gained from committee work, collective decision making, resolving conflict and public speaking. If, therefore, you have had such experience and you consider it relevant to your application for this post, you should include it separately in your statement. 27

28 DECLARATION I confirm that the information I have given is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true and complete. I confirm that I understand the purpose of the form and the reasons for the collection of my personal data and that I agree to my personal data being used as stated. Yes No Name: Signature: Date: 28