Dear applicant,

I am delighted you are interested in the role of Chief Executive.

The Audit Commission seeks to underpin trust by helping citizens hold public bodies to account for their spending and whether they offer value for money and improve quality of life in local areas. Through audit, assessment and inspection and our extensive programme of research and analysis we aim to help councils, police, primary care trusts and others raise their game. Disseminating information and analysis to residents as well as decision makers, we work to enrich understanding of what bodies do and spend on the public’s behalf. We are a big organisation covering 11,000 organisations, which together spend around £200 billion of public money annually.

Our Chief Executive, Steve Bundred, is stepping down from his post this year. We are therefore seeking a strong successor to lead the Commission through the next phase of its development. All public services face pressing questions about their size, shape and cost. But the new fiscal era also presents opportunities. Under your leadership the Commission will further develop its strategy and carry it through with confidence and vigour and we will look to you to ensure it works to the highest possible internal and external standards. With our many and varied collaborators, you will also garner respect for our role, independence and judgement. As Accounting Officer, we will hold you responsible for all the Commission’s finances. 

This is no ordinary chief executive’s job. We are looking for a strong and inspirational leader who will deliver our strategic objectives and business plans to the highest professional standards. You will already have carved a significant profile in one or more parts of the public service, the commercial world or the voluntary sectors. The chances are you have already gained recognition as an alliance-builder who persuades and inspires others in pursuit of excellence. For you, this role will offer a rare opportunity to build on your achievements and move to greater things in one of the most visible roles in public life.

I hope all the information you need is on this site. If, however, you would like a confidential discussion with our advisers at GatenbySanderson, please contact Juliet Taylor on 020 7426 3990 or Mark Turner on 020 7426 3983.

If you believe you have the qualities we need, I look forward to hearing from you.

Michael O’Higgins
Chairman