Fiona Cannon OBE has emerged as the Prime Minister's preferred candidate for a critical role that will play a crucial part in maintaining public trust in government appointments. The appointment of a new Commissioner for Public Appointments is now set to proceed, following what has been described as a fair and open recruitment process led by Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister. Before taking up the post, Ms Cannon's candidacy will face pre-appointment scrutiny by the influential Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC).
The Commissioner for Public Appointments holds an independent position that is tasked with ensuring standards of fairness, transparency, and merit are upheld in government appointments. This includes scrutinising the diversity and timeliness of appointments across a wide range of public bodies to guarantee that talented individuals from all backgrounds are considered for influential positions. The role has been vacant since July, when Sir William Shawcross CVO concluded his term, having served since September 2021.
Darren Jones highlighted Ms Cannon's extensive experience and suitability for the position, stating: "I am delighted to announce Fiona Cannon as the Government’s preferred candidate as the next Commissioner for Public Appointments." He praised her wealth of expertise, gained from both the private sector, expressing confidence that she would excel in driving confidence in the system. Jones also extended gratitude to Sir William Shawcross CVO for his dedication to transparency and improving candidate experience during his tenure.
Ms Cannon brings a wealth of professional experience to the role, including her current position as Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at Yorkshire Building Society. She has previously held roles such as Sustainable Business Director at Lloyds Banking Group, where she was awarded an OBE for services to equal opportunities. Ms Cannon is also a member of the FTSE Women Leaders Review, an independent body working towards increasing women's representation in leadership positions within FTSE 350 companies.
The role of Commissioner for Public Appointments is essential in safeguarding against cronyism and ensuring appointments are based on merit, skills, and experience rather than political favour. Ms Cannon's background in the financial sector and her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion will likely be valuable assets in this challenging oversight role, as she seeks to maintain public trust in government appointments.