Client:
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is the principal public agency for conducting criminal prosecutions in England and Wales, with circa 7,000 employees across 14 main sites. The CPS is responsible for reviewing evidence from police, deciding whether to prosecute, and presenting cases in court. The CPS operates independently to ensure fair and impartial application of the law.
Role: Lead Non-Executive Board Member (NEBM)/Chair
Client brief: The CPS sought to appoint a high calibre individual to serve as Lead NEBM/Chair of an organisation that sits at the heart of the Criminal Justice System. The role required an individual capable of chairing a high-profile board and providing support and advice to the Director of Public Prosecutions on non-legal casework decisions and operational business delivery matters. The Lead NEBM/Chair would need to possess a deep understanding of public sector governance, with the nuanced ability to strike the balance between independence with accountability.
The process:
Veredus took detailed briefings from CPS stakeholders, including the Director of Public Prosecutions, and members of the board and senior leadership team. We conducted a forensic market mapping exercise, exploring the boards of relevant public and private sectors organisations, with an eye to individuals capable of contributing effectively as Lead NEBM/Chair, as well as the achievement of a diverse, highly credible field.
We approached over 180 individuals, which resulted in 38 applications. We collected Diversity Monitoring Data, and requested all candidates self-disclose any potential conflicts of interest at the point of application to mitigate the risk of misalignment as the process moved forward. Following the longlist meeting, eight individuals were selected for progression to preliminary interview with the Veredus Team. Preliminary interviews explored the extent to which candidates met the criteria, how they might add value as the Lead NEBM/Chair, and wider matters including conflicts of interest.
The four shortlisted candidates were invited to attend informal one-to-one sessions with CPS stakeholders. Veredus undertook referencing and due diligence on shortlisted candidates.
The results:
The search concluded with the appointment of a highly experienced Chair, who brought a blend of relevant experience, including exposure to the Criminal Justice System, and a track record of effectively chairing a large, complex public body. The panel were impressed with the quality, and diversity of the shortlist, and were delighted with the appointment.
Takeaways:
• Inclusive, proactive executive search was critical in capturing candidates who were not actively considering new board appointments. It was also vital in offering genuine choice to the panel at the final interview stage.
• A rigorous focus on due diligence, and the management of conflicts of interest, was a critical success factor in finding suitable candidates, who could complement the existing board, whilst providing additionality of skills and experience.
• Sophisticated assessment techniques, and deep board recruitment expertise, also enabled Veredus to put forward candidates, who offered the right credentials from a range of different board backgrounds.