Sir Ian Cheshire to stand down as Government’s Lead Non-Executive Director

31 Mar 2020 01:59 PM

Sir Ian Cheshire, the Government’s Lead Non-Executive Director and Lead Non-Executive Director for the Cabinet Office, will step down from his positions today.

Sir Ian was first appointed as the Government Lead Non-Executive Director by the then Prime Minister David Cameron in April 2015 and re-appointed by Theresa May in April 2018. He has also previously served as the Lead Non-Executive Director for the Department for Work and Pensions.

Sir Ian 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 and Head of the Civil Service 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 Government Lead Non-Executive in due course.