# Government issues formal response to DCMS Committee on Stowell appointment

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/03/15/government-issues-formal-response-dcms-committee-stowell-appointment/
- Published: 2018-03-15T16:33:56+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**The Government has formally responded to the DCMS Committee over the appointment
of Baroness Stowell as Chair of the Charity Commission.**

In the document, [published online ](https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmcumeds/908/90802.htm),
it responds to each of the concerns listed by the Committee in its [report](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/02/28/mps-publish-report-charity-commission-chair-appointment-formal-rejection-stowell/)
on the Baroness’s appointment and that it is confident that the right individual
had been appointed, saying:

> “The Government is confident that Baroness Stowell will work with charities to
> restore public trust. As noted previously, Baroness Stowell is absolutely clear
> about the need to be and be known as an impartial leader and the need to demonstrate
> a commitment to working only in the public interest. We have every confidence 
> that she will work tirelessly to protect and promote the great work that charities
> do and ensure they uphold the highest standards of integrity.”
> 
> ## Advertisement
> 

The Committee had formally rejected Baroness Stowell as the Chair of the Charity
Commission, and raised a number of concerns over her appointment, including those
over her level of experience, her impartiality, and over how the appointment process
had been carried out.

Regarding the concerns over her perceived lack of experience, the Government states
in its response:

> “The role specification and selection criteria for the role of chair does not 
> ask for explicit experience in the charity or regulatory sectors. …the panel were
> in unanimous agreement in the panel report that Baroness Stowell was an exceptionally
> strong candidate when assessed against the selection criteria.”

The Committee had also asked for details on the other shortlisted candidates, however
the Government refused to be drawn on these, saying that it would be inappropriate
to reveal this information.

It also said that the vacancy had been promoted through a variety of channels to
maximise the diversity of applicants, and that in addition to the role being advertised
on the Public Appointments website, the Charity Commission website and on DCMS Connect,
it had also reached out through sector specific channels such as the National Council
for Voluntary Organisations, Step up to Serve, Generation Change and the British
Youth Council. It remains however confident that the right candidate has been appointed.

 

Image: Baroness Stowell / Crown copyright

 * **[Most large charities unclear on their level of reserves, says Commission](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/11/22/large-charities-unclear-level-reserves-says-commission/)**(
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