§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has engaged recruitment consultants to advise him on suitable candidates for appointment as Chair of the new Countryside Agency; and what criteria will be employed to assess potential candidates. [61648]
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§ Mr. MeacherMy Department employed recruitment consultants primarily to ensure that details of the post were made known as widely as possible. Their work supplemented advertisements in the national press and requests for nominations from a wide range of public and private sector organisations. The consultants also dealt with the issue and receipt of application forms, and made an initial categorisation of applications.
The sift of applicants was carried out in accordance with the Nolan procedures by a panel comprising officials from my Department and an independent member. Advice from the recruitment consultants was also available to them. In carrying out the sift, the panel were looking principally for a knowledge of, and demonstrated commitment to, countryside and rural issues, excellent communication skills, and managerial ability, both to lead and motivate the commissioners and staff of a large organisation and to ensure that the two existing agencies were successfully brought together.