Industrial Development Advisory Board, Chair

The Industrial Development Advisory Board (IDAB) is a statutory body appointed under the Industrial Development Act (IDA) 1982.

IDAB has continued to operate since 1982 through numerous changes of Government and policy. Board members are independent with a diverse range of expertise gained in a variety of sectors in the UK and internationally. In February 2017, IDAB was reclassified as an expert committee following Cabinet Office’s assessment of its membership constitution and role. This ‘expert status’ is in addition to and complements its statutory functions as an Advisory Non-Departmental Public Body.

The Board role is to provide independent advice to the Secretary of State and relevant Ministers, on all major investment cases under the vires of the IDA. The Board does this by reviewing and constructively challenging the case for support to ensure the validity of the case and the level of support to be offered.

IDAB is supported by a Secretariat in the Department for Business and Trade, and has the authority under section 10(4) to require the Secretary of State to lay a statement before Parliament if they act contrary to a recommendation IDAB has made. The Board would use its section 10(4) authority in circumstances where the statutory powers of IDAB were being inappropriately challenged or where it was, in the Board’s view, in the public interest that it should do so and it believed that the seeking of a formal Direction alone was insufficient.

An Annual report covering the work of the Board is presented to Parliament on an annual basis.

More information is available on the IDAB website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/industrial-development-advisory-board

Statutory and non-statutory matters on which IDAB’s advice is sought:

Statutory matters: The threshold for individual cases to be brought before IDAB are for support of £5million or more or where a liability is forecast to have the same order of potential impact.

Non-statutory matters: IDAB’s scope goes beyond its purely statutory function due to its ‘expert status’ and officials can bring other commercial issues and problems for the Board to consider.

We are looking for an individual with the following qualities:

• Extensive experience at a senior level within industry, finance, or professional services, including CEO, COO, CFO, main board director, or equivalent positions.
• Proven ability to chair a board effectively, managing individuals with diverse commercial and technical expertise to facilitate balanced and informed decision-making.
• Understanding of the broader context in which IDAB operates, including the ability to manage its business for maximum impact while ensuring independence, challenge, and scrutiny.
• Demonstrated success in various business ventures, showcasing a broad track record of achievement.
• Capacity to provide sharp and well-informed commercial advice.
• Strong understanding of business planning, financing, and the management of large-scale industrial projects.

Desirable criteria:

• International experience and expertise within industry, banking, accountancy, company rescue and restructuring or finance.