The government’s lead non-executive director, Sir Ian Cheshire, stepped down from his position this week.
Cheshire, who is chairman of Barclays UK, was appointed lead non-executive director for government and Cabinet Office in 2015, having previously served as lead non-executive at the Department for Work and Pensions.
As the government's lead non-executive, Cheshire has pushed departments to have more regular and better quality board meetings, as well as to improve the quality of their management information. Departmental boards bring together non-executives, ministers and civil servants and are seen as a way to introduce private sector expertise into government.
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In his most recent annual report, published in 2019, former retail magnate Cheshire also said he was concerned about lack of diversity data available on government's non-executive directors, and called on Cabinet Office to better collect and monitor data on racial diversity across departmental boards.
Announcing his departure this week, Cheshire said: “It has been a wonderful privilege to work on supporting government improvement. I believe the addition of non-executives to enhanced departmental boards has promoted change and improvement in governance and risk management and that I leave the government in a strong position to continue its transformation journey.
“There is much more to do, but it is now time for a new perspective on how the non-executives continue to contribute. I have deep admiration and respect for the work of officials in the Cabinet Office and civil service as a whole, and wish them well for this next phase."
Cabinet secretary Sir Mark Sedwill said: “Sir Ian Cheshire and his team of non-executives have provided the civil service with significant expertise and wisdom from both the private and voluntary sectors. Throughout his tenure, Sir Ian has focused on embedding a strong non-executive presence across departmental boards, committed to civil service reform, underpinned by support, scrutiny and constructive challenge.
"Ian has been a great personal support and source of wise counsel to me and other senior colleagues, not just in the Cabinet Office but across the civil service as a whole. I wish him well for the future.”
The prime minister will announce a new lead non-executive director for government in due course.