Ministerial appointments to public bodies: training pack for independent panel members

10. Key points to note

• As a member of the selection panel, you should contribute to discussions at each stage of the appointment round – from planning the round right through to the recommendations to Ministers
• As the independent panel member, you should be prepared to constructively challenge the views of fellow panel members and be alert to any conflicts of interests
• You can raise any concerns you might have with the selection panel chair
• The person specification and criteria are critical to the whole appointment process, and will drive the recommendations that the selection panel make to the Minister
• Diversity should be built in to the appointments process from the earliest stage
• Positive action has been proven to improve the number of applications from and the appointments of people in underrepresented groups
• Criteria should not be unnecessarily restrictive, otherwise good potential applicants may be ruled out
• Once the criteria for appointment are agreed they must not be changed.