The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) was created by the Parliamentary Standards Act 2009, as the world’s first fully independent regulator of MPs’ public funding. Today, it regulates and administers the business costs and pay of the 650 elected MPs in the UK and their 3,500 staff.
Our work plays a key role in parliamentary democracy by ensuring that MPs and their staff have the resources they need to support constituents, as well as assuring the public that funding is properly regulated.
In recent times, the focus of the Board has been on ensuring significant progress in improving the services IPSA provides, as well as to agree a new regulatory philosophy and risk appetite with a fundamental review of IPSA’s operating model. This involves decisions about how best to support MPs and their staff, what they should be paid, and how we can be transparent about their funding arrangements while keeping them safe.
In 2022-23, the Board underwent an external audit and evaluation of its governance arrangements. The report found that IPSA’s governance was fit for purpose, that the Board conducted its business and duties effectively, and that a great deal of progress had been made in implementing the findings of a similar exercise conducted in 2019-2020.
Now is an exciting time to join IPSA and work with an effective Board, as the organisation embarks further upon its major programme of transformation (as part of our 3-year corporate plan), with a desire to put customer service at the forefront of its regulatory functions.
We look forward to partnering with Boardroom Apprentice candidates as part of this important journey.
Why IPSA is supporting Boardroom Apprentice
No other organisation holds a remit like IPSA. Our work is challenging, our environment is fast-paced, and the stakes are high. In providing this opportunity, we are keen to play a part in ensuring that aspiring Board members gain the practical experience they need to develop the skills and resilience needed to contribute to public life. Working with a small Board with a big impact, you will receive significant exposure into the duties and competing priorities of being a Non-Executive Director and you will be supported in doing so as you build your confidence, capability, and insight into a range of key regulatory matters from risk and finance to stakeholder engagement and strategic oversight.
As an organisation with hybrid working arrangements, we are also keen to support the development of candidates from all walks of life and from the widest talent pool across the United Kingdom. Partnering with the Boardroom Apprentice programme is therefore another way in which we want to demonstrate our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Our Board has statutory requirements under the Parliamentary Standards Act 2009 as to its composition and size. We would welcome applications from candidates whose skillsets would further complement its make-up, and particularly encourage those whose backgrounds lie in change management and transformation, data and digital, regulatory reform, and pay and pensions.
Location of Board and Committee Meetings
85 Strand, WC2R 0DW, or remotely for some committee meetings. Whilst the location above indicates London, IPSA is a hybrid organisation with colleagues based across the UK.
Frequency and timing of board/committee meetings
Board meetings (in-person): bimonthly
Audit and Risk Assurance (in-person): quarterly
Improving IPSA Assurance Group (remote): quarterly
People Committee (in-person/remote): three times a year
Date of Board Meetings (January 2024 – December 2024)
24 Jan (PM), 20 March (PM), 22 May (PM), 17 July (PM), 25-26 Sept, 23 Oct (PM), 18 Dec (PM)
Committee of the Boards and meeting dates (January 2024 – December 2024)
ARAC – 6 March (PM), 26 June (PM), 9 Oct (PM), 4 Dec (PM)
IIAG (remote) – 28 Feb (PM), 19 June (PM), 4 Sept (PM), 28 Nov (PM)
People Committee – 7 March (PM), 27 June (PM), 27 Nov (PM and remote)
