The dust has only just settled on the controversy over former Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, joining Agusta Westland but we have another.
Retired Vice-Admiral Tim Laurence, 56, has become a non-executive director of the consultancy Capita Symonds.
Commenting on the appointment he said
I am delighted to be joining the board of Capita Symonds at such a challenging but interesting time for the company. I have been very impressed with the company’s ideas, their ambitions and their approach to solving complex problems. I look forward to contributing to the Board’s strategic debates and to helping the company support the Government’s efficiency programme
He retired last year as Chief Executive of Defence Estates and head of the governments Property Asset Management Profession and during his tenure endured the bad press about housing conditions for service personnel, a grilling from various parliamentary select committees and a damning report from the Public Accounts Committee.
Defence Estates became the Defence Infrastructure Organisation as part of the new governments reorganisation and reform of the MoD.
DIO is implementing a ‘strategic transformation programme’ and is currently working towards the Next Generation Estate Contracts
From 2013 the current arrangements with industry to provide management, maintenance and development of the UK Defence estate will expire.
The NGEC programme is replacing those arrangements with a mix of contracts that will deliver the best possible service for the Armed Forces and the rest of UK Defence, and achieves best value for money for the UK taxpayer.
The NGEC is one of many initiatives that will no doubt need professional services support.
Handy then that providers of these support services, strategic partners if you will, have someone with the depth of experience of a former head of Defence Estates.
In addition to the Capita Symonds appointment, the Vice Admiral has also joined PA Consulting and Keltbray Group
Liberal Democrat MP Bob Russell, said there were “serious concerns” about Laurence’s appointment. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said
I’m sure the vice-admiral will be on a tidy crust for helping Capita with knowledge about the defence estate that he gained at the MoD. There are questions about whether this is right.
The union UNITE, is also very unhappy with the move.
He does of course, join a long and distinguished list of senior military and civilian personnel joining the defence industry establishment.
Nothing to see hear, move along
It’s all very well to complain about these things, but what do you suggest? Do you suggest we restrict people from being able to work for whoever offers them employment?
I have raised the revolving doors issue with my local MP already, guess what NO RESPONSE!! Its a national disgrace and someone (journalists!?!?)should be out there digging with a very sharp spade.
Hi matt, welcome to TD
You would be surprised to see the number of of military and civil servants who go on to great careers outside of the sector they started in, I am in general in favour of free trade and deregulated employment markets but this revolving doors are corrosive on morale and cast doubts on what is a relatively clean industry.
What would I do, not sure, extend the gap from 1 or 2 years to 5 or 10 would be a good start
Hi Matt, fair comment and having spent my whole career in industry, its rare to find outside skills being recruited without SUCCESS in the past.
Its either the lack of relevant skills or lack of success that highlight these appointments as problematic for me.
@matt i agree with you however, it grips when a senior parlimentary figure (name is on the other thread, i can’t remember) is reported in the papers for walking in on the wildcat debate in westminister, tells the committee that although the contract has almost doubled (£1.7billion from £1billion) and less helicopters will be recieved the purchase will go ahead, end of.
Same bloke about 3 months later then gets job at finnemeca (ie augusta westland) that’s when it starts to stink!!
Corect me if i’m wrong (said the inventor of tippex) but wasn’t the SAR contract halted due to an RAF officer going from being on the project team that selected the contract, to being on the board of the winning bidder, seems he “helped” with details whilst still in light blue.
Of course many of my friends who repaired helicopters went from green kit on a friday to civvy overalls on a monday, that’s an acceptable knowledge transfer obviously, but there’s alot of skullduggery at the higher levels
TD did you get me email from yesterday?
Philo
Sorry one hand iPhone difficult
Phil, nothing heard mate, can you resend
Sent last night at 00:11 9mb attachment and it’s left mr outbox
Could it have been picked up by your spam filter?
Sent normal email the day before??
Phil
Sorry TD not had anything, will check spam folder ASAP
Regards
Phil