Crown representative for charities still not in post after a year

16 Feb 2018 News

Front door of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Fergus Burnett

The government advertised for a new crown representative for the voluntary sector over a year ago, but has still not made any announcement regarding an appointment. 

Crown representatives manage the procurement relationship between government and suppliers. In most cases the job of the crown representative is to get the best deal for the government, however the VCSE crown representative role is more focused on ensuring the relationship works effectively. 

Charities have warned of the pressures increasing pressures on those delivering public services, with Kathy Evans warning earlier this month that charities faced a Carillion-style collapse if their relationship with government does not change.

Post vacant since 2014

The charity sector has been without a crown representative since September 2014, when Michael O’Toole stood down. Rob Wilson, the former minister for civil society had announced that the appointment of a new one as part of wider range of measures to help small charities win contracts in December 2016. 

DCMS advertised the post in February 2017 and initially expected to have selected a candidate by the end of March – before the General Election was called.   

Civil Society News understands that an announcement is likely to be made by the end of this month. 

Crown representatives work two days a week are paid £500 a day. The role part of the civil service and is based in the government’s commercial function. 

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