Leaders among the business community are being urged to consider applying for roles across the public sector.
The government makes more than 1,000 appointments to public bodies every year, whist there are more than 300 institutions that offer roles that are complimentary to the expertise of leaders in the business world. Such roles that are currently vacant include:
- Innovate UK – Executive Chair
- Geospatial Commission – Chair
- Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee – Northern Ireland Chair
As the government looks to fill public sector roles with people who have transferrable and relevant skills, there is a wider focus on ensuring that such positions are opened up to leaders from across the UK. Northern Ireland is currently in a strong position to play a part in this push, with this being evidenced in the fact that nearly 150,000 people are employed by the health and social work sector. Leaders from across this sector can bring valuable expertise to health-related appointments on the boards of different NHS bodies.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Cabinet Office Minister of State, speaking at an event in Lisburn said:
“I am particularly keen to increase the number of successful candidates from across the UK including here in Northern Ireland.
“Public appointees get the chance to improve vital public services, get more involved with the communities, work with a wide range of talented people and make a difference to society. They are extremely rewarding roles and can help accelerate people’s careers.
“The skills and expertise here in Northern Ireland are highly transferrable and can provide great value to the UK’s public institutions. I strongly encourage professionals in the area to consider applying for a position.”
Those within the business community that have expertise in managing micro and small business will also hold a number of transferrable skills that will ensure they can effectively operate in small board teams.
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