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Public appointments explained
A public appointment is an appointment to the board of a public body. There are currently around 18,500 men and women serving on the boards of over 1,200 UK public bodies.
What is a public body?
A public body is a body which carries out functions on behalf of UK Government. Public bodies work within a framework set by Ministers but operate, at a day to day level, independently of Government.
Most public bodies are led by boards comprising non-executive Chairs and members appointed by Ministers. These are considered public appointments.
Examples of public bodies include NHS Trusts, Primary Care Trusts, Regional Development Agencies, national funding bodies (such as Arts Council, Sports Council and Research Councils), national regulatory bodies (such as the Competition Commission, Environment Agency, and Health and Safety Executive), our national museums and galleries and a range of independent, expert advisory committees.
Details of public bodies
Lists of public bodies, together with information on those who serve on the boards of public bodies, is published annually by the Cabinet Office. To view the latest list, use the link below:
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