NEW APPOINTMENTS TO NAO MANAGEMENT BOARD

12 Apr 2005 06:15 PM

Sir John Bourn today announced two new appointments to the National Audit Office Management Board as Assistant Auditors General.

Anna Simons will join the NAO in June and will be responsible for the NAO’s work on the National Health Service and for the portfolio of work covering public private partnership deals and the private finance initiative. Anna is currently the Head of UK Corporate Clients at BNP Paribas and previously worked for Sumitomo Bank having started her career in the public sector working for what was then the Overseas Development Agency.

Anna said today: “This is a fantastic opportunity. The NAO has a very strong reputation and I am delighted to be joining it at a time when the public spotlight is very much on the financial management and service delivery issues that are central to its mission. I am looking forward to returning to the public sector and applying my wider experience in this arena.”

Gabrielle Cohen has been promoted from within the NAO where she trained as an auditor and most recently has been the Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs. Gabrielle will be responsible for communications, corporate affairs, business development and relations with Parliament.

Gabrielle said today:“The NAO is unique and plays an essential role in public life and my career so far has given me a privileged insight into issues that really mater to taxpayers and to Parliament. The new role will allow me to bring that perspective to bear across the full range of our work.”

Sir John said today: “I am really pleased to announce these appointments today from a strong field of applicants. Anna’s background in the banking sector means she will bring a fresh perspective to our work and we very much look forward to working with her on the important areas of health and the PFI/PPP. Gabrielle will now assume Board level responsibility for the communications and corporate affairs functions which she has led successfully as a Director and will lead a new programme aimed at maximising the impact of our work in terms of improving public services.

Notes to editors

1. The National Audit Office senior management team will now comprise:

   Sir John Bourn Comptroller and Auditor General

   Management Committee

   Tim Burr Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General

   Assistant Auditors General

   Gabrielle Cohen

   Wendy Kenway-Smith

   Caroline Mawhood

   Jim Rickleton

   Anna Simons

   Martin Sinclair

   Michael Whitehouse

2. Comptroller and Auditor General, Sir John Bourn, is the head of the National Audit Office which employs some 800 staff. He and the NAO are totally independent of Government. He certifies the accounts of all Government departments and a wide range of other public sector bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which departments and other bodies have used their resources.

Press Notice 31/05 All enquiries to Barry Lester, NAO Press Office: Tel: 020 7798 7937 Mobile: 07748 181692