Rockpools secures five high calibre, diverse board members for powerful public body
The Audit Commission required a number of high-calibre leaders to join its board, working alongside Chairman Michael O'Higgins to provide strategic advice and direction. These roles included a Deputy Chair who would be involved in making a significant contribution to the strategic decision making of the Commission, and four Commissioners who would independently oversee the Audit Commission's remit.
Rockpools won the assignment to carry out the recruitment for these roles in March 2007. The team of specialist consultants working on this assignment, included: Mohan Yogendran, Rockpools' Partner and head of Rockpools’ private sector practice.
Following an in-depth consultation with the Audit Commission, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and relevant stakeholders to refine the criteria for the roles, the Rockpools team conducted a wide-reaching search to attract the highest calibre of diverse candidates. To complement their search, a unique recruitment microsite was developed and advertisements were placed in national newspapers.
The response to the search was very positive with candidates being drawn from across the public, private and third sectors. As the Audit Commission required five new individuals for their board, the Rockpools team were able to focus on ensuring each individual brought different, complementary skills to its top table.
A key factor of this assignment was the constant dialogue and real partnership between the Rockpools team and the Audit Commission. This was a complex assignment, with Rockpools having to balance following the formal regulations by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments, with being flexible and responsive to the Audit Commission’s needs.
In August 2007, Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, announced the Deputy Chairman and Commissioners as:
- Bharat Shah: Deputy Chairman, currently CEO of BCS Business
- Victor Adebowale: Commissioner, currently Chief Executive for Turning Point
- Denise Platt: Commissioner, currently Chair of the Commission for Social Care Inspection
- Raj Rajagopal: Commissioner, currently NED for Foseco plc and Chairman of the Manufacturing Sector Panel, Inst of Eng and Technology
- Jenny Watson: Commissioner, currently Chair of the Equal Opportunities Commission.
Audit Commission Chairman, Michael O’Higgins, said: "The recruitment of a diverse group of high quality Commissioners has been one of my key objectives during my first year as Chair. The quality of these appointments exceeds my highest expectations and reflect very well both on the standing of the Audit Commission and on the work of CLG, OCPA and Rockpools in the recruitment process."
