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Sir Peter Bonfield CBE FREng, the Hon Barbara Thomas and the Rt Hon Lord Justice Judge, Deputy Chief Justice of England and Wales, have been appointed as non-executive members of the corporate board of the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA).

These appointments take effect from 25 March 2004 when the corporate board meets in Leeds. They join the existing non-executive Trevor Hall.

They will attend the two monthly meetings of the corporate board and other board events.

In addition Professor Sir Ronald De Witt, Chief Executive of the new Unified Courts Agency (UCA) and Clare Dodgson, Chief Executive of the Legal Services Commission (LSC), have been appointed as executive members of the corporate board from 15 March 2004. They will attend the weekly meetings of the executive committee in addition to corporate board meetings.

DCA Permanent Secretary Sir Hayden Phillips said the addition of new non-executive and executive members helped reinforce the senior management team at a time of great change for the department, adding that through their considerable experience and expertise they would add a great deal of value to the discussions and help ensure the highest quality decision making.

Notes for Editors:

1. The role of the corporate board is to provide strategic oversight and challenge; the planning and setting of high level policy and priorities; the monitoring and assessment of organisational performance, corporate risk and financial and resourcing issues. The focus for the executive committee is the on-going, more 'routine' DCA business, requiring senior management consideration.

2. Sir Peter Bonfield is an experienced international business executive in the fields of electronics, computers and communications. Until January 2002 he was Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Committee of British Telecommunications plc. Sir Peter was previously Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ICL plc and Deputy Chief Executive of STC plc. He currently holds a range of Directorships including of L.M. Ericsson, Sweden Senior Non-Executive Director of Astra Zeneca Group PLC, London, TSMC in Taiwan, and Mentor Graphics Corporation, USA, as well as various international Advisory positions.

3. The Hon. Barbara Thomas has had an extensive career both in the US and the UK in the law, in business and as a regulator. Previously, she was a partner in a large US law firm and Commissioner of the US Securities and Exchange Commission. She was also a Director of Samuel Montagu & Co in Hong Kong and News International plc in the UK among others. Currently she is involved with a number of companies including as Chairman of Private Equity Investor plc, Deputy Chairman of Friends' Provident plc and the Financial Reporting Council and a Director of Quintain Estates and Development.

4. Lord Justice Judge was appointed Deputy Chief Justice of England and Wales in July 2003. He was called to the Bar in 1963, and made a High Court Judge in 1988. He has served as Chairman of the Criminal Committee of the Judicial Studies Board, and as Presiding Judge on the Midland Circuit. He was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 1996, and served as Senior Presiding Judge from 1998 to 2003.

5. Professor Sir Ron De Witt formally takes up his post as UCA Chief Executive on 15 March 2004. He has until recently been Chief Executive of North West London Strategic Health Authority and has extensive experience in health management, gained in a range of health authority, hospital and community settings. A nurse by professional background, Sir Ron has a successful record in hospital management on an international basis and considerable experience of managing change, including the restructuring of organisations. Amongst his many current positions Sir Ron is Chair of the UK Skills for Health Council and a member of the National Employment Panel that advises the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

6. Clare Dodgson was appointed Chief Executive of the LSC on 2 June 2003 and has responsibility for developing and implementing Government policies to shape the provision of legal services throughout England & Wales and to ensure access to justice through the Community Legal Service and the Criminal Defence Service. Clare began her career in the NHS culminating in her role as Chief Executive of the integrated Sunderland Health Authority. She then moved to the Department for Work and Pensions where she was Chief Operating Officer and then latterly, Acting Chief Executive at Jobcentre Plus. Clare has previously been a non executive director of the Prescription Pricing Authority, Contributions Agency, Child Support Agency and the North West London Strategic Health Authority.

ENDS