Planning Minister Baroness Andrews and Jane Davidson AM - the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing – today announced the appointment of two new Non-Executive Directors and the re-appointment of one of the existing Non-Executive Directors to the Planning Inspectorate.

In welcoming the appointments Ministers said:

“We look to the Non-Executive Directors to bring to the Planning Inspectorate a fresh, objective perspective, to contribute new ideas and to improve the rigour of the Board process. We are confident that those appointed will help ensure that the Inspectorate is able to meet the new challenges arising from the Planning White Paper, for a further speeding up of the planning system.”

NOTE FOR EDITORS

The role of the Non-Executive Directors of the Planning Inspectorate is to attend Strategic Management Board and Audit Committee meetings and to contribute to collective Board decisions on matters such as business planning, policy, strategy, performance, resources and Corporate Governance. They will assist by providing knowledge and independent advice according to their individual areas of expertise based on their wider experience in other organisations.

The procedures for their appointments followed the Cabinet Office principles for public appointments. The posts were advertised on the Cabinet Office Public Appointments web-site, on the National Assembly for Wales web-site and on the Inspectorate’s web-site.

Below is a brief background of each of the appointees.

Ms Jane Earl was Chief Executive of a local council between 1999 and 2003. She was the first Director of the Assets Recovery Agency (2003-7) and is currently (interim) Chief Executive of the Rich Mix Arts Centre. She has worked at Strategic Board level for the last 8 years and is currently contributing to the Valuation Office Agency and Rich Mix Arts Centre Boards.

Ms Liz Peace has been one of the Planning Inspectorate’s Non-Executive Directors since January 2004. Her previous experience includes 27 years in a range of senior positions with the MOD. She is Chief Executive of the British Property Federation. Ms Peace has experience in the public, private and voluntary sectors and additional expertise of dealing with local authorities and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

Mr Deep Sagar has extensive senior level experience in both the public and private sectors, including Coca Cola and Unilever Bestfoods, and as Chair of NHS 24. His current appointments include Chair of LEASE, Board member of Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation, member of Employment Tribunals and member of the Casino Advisory Panel.

Jane Earl and Deep Sagar are being appointed for two years, with an option to extend for another two. Liz Peace is being appointed for one year. The aim of the staggered expiry dates is to ensure future continuity of the Non-Executive Directors. Mr Sagar will also be offered the post of Chairperson of the PINS Audit Committee.