Chief Executive

Jobs Reference: GSe9281

Closing date: 23:55 on Monday 2nd January 2023
 Who we are
About NS&I National Savings & Investments (NS&I) is one of the largest savings organisations in the UK with
more than £207 billion invested. NS&I is both a government department and an Executive Agency of
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and our origins can be traced back more than 160 years to 1861.

At a glance: This means that we are backed by HM Treasury – which keeps every single penny of our 25 million
customers' savings safe. When people save money with us, they’re lending money to the
government and being part of NS&I means customers are contributing towards something that will
25 million positively impact millions of lives.
customers
Our purpose
100% security We want to inspire a stronger savings culture. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to
save confidently.
backed by HM Treasury
Our mission
161 years ‒ Providing cost-effective financing for government and the public good
NS&I launched in 1861 ‒ Offering trusted savings and investments propositions
‒ Delivering valued services for government
‒ Supporting a fair and competitive market and balancing the interests of our savers,
taxpayers and the market

Useful information:
Our latest annual report gives a strong insight into the detailed performance and direction of the
business:
NS&I Annual Report 2021-22 2
About the role

Job and person specification and key

responsibilities

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 The current Chief Executive, Ian Ackerley, will step down in the Spring of 2023 following six years at
NS&I. The past few years have presented a number of challenges including the Pandemic and a
challenging wider macroeconomic environment. Looking towards 2023, NS&I is seeking more than
a return to business as usual as it seeks to build on a number of initiatives, such as its world-first
Green Savings Bonds.

In 2021 NS&I celebrated its 160th anniversary as well as the 65th anniversary of Premium
Bonds. There is now over £119 billion invested in Premium Bonds. During the last five years alone,
the number of Bonds included in each monthly prize draw has increased by almost 50 billion –

Context reaffirming the continued relevance of the UK’s favourite savings product.

As an organisation, NS&I is progressing a long-term transformation – the Rainbow programme –

working to create a strong, resilient infrastructure and a flexible and scalable operation that can
continue to serve savers and the Government for generations to come. In essence this means
instead of working with a single partner, NS&I will move to a multi-supplier model across 5 key
areas: Enterprise Architecture; Digital Integration and Service Operations; Digital Experience
and Digital Enablement; Customer Contact and Operations; and Core Banking, Payments and
Reporting.

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The role
Job Title: Chief Executive
Vacancy reference: GSe9281
Salary: The salary is up to £195,000
This post is at SCS Level 3 (Senior Civil Service)
Senior Civil Service (SCS) is the most senior grade
of the civil service made up of the senior
management team. SCS 3 typically equates to c-
suite position or managing director level in the
private sector.
Location: The role will be based at our London
office and you will be expected to travel as part
of this role.
The Chief Executive is Director of Savings, and Accounting Officer, and is fully accountable and
responsible to HM Treasury Ministers and to Parliament for all aspects of the NS&I business. The
Chief Executive is directly accountable for providing cost-effective financing for the Exchequer.
There are eight major aspects to this role:
1. To lead the creation and implementation of NS&I’s business strategy to deliver cost-effective
financing to HM Treasury, provide administration services to other parts of government
(Government Payment Services) and help the government deliver policy through the provision
of ad hoc products and services as required.
2. To balance the interests of customers, the taxpayer and broader financial stability in the
context of NS&I’s activities.
3. To lead NS&I in its transition to a new multi-supplier operating model as part of the inflight
Rainbow programme.
4. To effectively manage and incentivise NS&I’s new operational partners at a senior level to
deliver the agreed business plans efficiently and in line with NS&I’s values.
5. To ensure that NS&I meets its Service Delivery Measures and its commitments to B2B clients.
6. To ensure that high standards of governance and compliance are implemented and
maintained particularly treating customers fairly.
7. To chair NS&I’s executive management committee and act as a member of NS&I’s board,
contributing to debates and decision- making about the future direction of the business.
8. Promote the positive reputation of NS&I within the Civil Services and publicly.
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 ‒ Provide direction and leadership to the executive team, setting clear short- and long-term
objectives and maximising the skills within the team.

‒ Ensure that NS&I has the resources it requires to deliver its strategic objectives and has the
necessary risk management culture and infrastructure to ensure the business operates
within the agreed risk appetite.

‒ Ensure the efficient use of public money and that NS&I operates within the guidelines set
out within Civil Service frameworks.

Key responsibilities ‒ Represent NS&I externally in the media and at Public Accounts Committee, HM Treasury
Select Committee and other governance forums as required.

‒ Ensure NS&I is an attractive and inclusive place to work with a strong and open culture based
on brand values and good work/life balance.

‒ Build relationships across government and the wider financial services sector to maintain the
profile of NS&I as a leading savings organisation and provider of government payment
services.

‒ Develop close relationships with key strategic partners at a senior level.

‒ Work closely with the non-executive chair of the NS&I Board and chairs of the other board
committees to ensure appropriate whole business governance arrangements are in place
and functioning effectively.
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The person specification
A successful and widely respected Senior Executive with a strong track record of strategic leadership and management in a comparable organisation.

Experience of delivering a major change/transformation programme with a track record of managing elevated risk profiles and leading commercial
negotiations at a senior level.

Experience of the retail financial services environment, including regulators, trade associations, and other relevant stakeholders.

Proven track record in developing capability and capacity within a professional organisation to deliver high quality outcomes aligned to the
organisation’s vision, values and strategic aims.

Track record of developing strategic partnerships with a wide range of Stakeholders, in particular the management of large outsourcing arrangements.

Experience of promoting a positive personal and organisational profile.

Able to manage financial budgets and clear demonstration of effective resource management.

Operated effectively at Board level or at a comparable level.

Highly successful track record of success in communications.

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The application and
recruitment process

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The application process

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process by no later than 23:55 on Monday 2nd January 2023. All
applications must be submitted via: https://www.gatenbysanderson.com/job/GSe9281

You are asked to submit the following:

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps
within the last two years;

2. A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 1,250 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide
evidence of your suitability for the role against the criteria in the person specification.

Please note - Failure to complete both (CV and Statement of Suitability) will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess
your application.

As part of the online application process, you will also be asked a number of diversity-related questions. If you do not wish to provide a
declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select 'prefer not to say’. The information you provide when
submitting your application will help us monitor our progress in improving diversity and inclusion across the Civil Service. See the Civil Service’s
diversity and inclusion policies and how they are monitored for more information.

If you are unable to apply online, or have any issues with the online application process, please contact: devon.coates@gatenbysanderson.com

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 Disability Confident Scheme Reasonable Adjustments

Candidates applying under the Disability Confident, Redeployment or
Veterans Scheme who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job
specification are guaranteed an interview. Please complete the relevant
parts in the application system if applying under these schemes.
NS&I is recognised as a Disability Confident Leader, demonstrating the
departmental commitment to attracting, recruiting and retaining disabled
people, and supporting them in achieving their full potential. As users of
the disability confident symbol, we have made a firm commitment to
guarantee a place in the final assessment stage to all disabled applicants
who have:
NS&I is committed to making reasonable adjustments for disabled
candidates who may require additional help throughout the
application process. Adjustments to the recruitment process can
vary, as they are personal to a candidate’s needs, so it is important
to contact us about any adjustments you feel could help your
circumstances.
You will be asked at the initial application stage if you require a
reasonable adjustment. Find out more information regarding
reasonable adjustments for online tests.

a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long

term (over 12 months) adverse effect on your ability to carry out
normal day to day activities; or have been diagnosed with HIV
infection, cancer or multiple sclerosis; and
meet the minimum criteria at the application stage.
Find out more about the definition of Disability under the Equality Act
2010.
You will be asked at the initial application stage if you wish to apply via
the scheme

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The recruitment process

The competition will be overseen by the Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service Commission has two primary functions:

• Providing assurance that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. For the most senior posts
in the Civil Service, the Commission discharges its responsibilities directly by overseeing the recruitment process and by a Commissioner chairing the
selection panel.

• Hearing and determining appeals made by civil servants under the Civil Service Code which sets out the Civil Service values – Impartiality, Objectivity,
Integrity and Honesty - and forms part of the relationship between civil servants and their employer.

More detailed information can be found at on the Civil Service Commission website: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk

The Commissioner Chairing this appointment will be Gisela Stuart.

Stage 1 – Longlist: You will receive an acknowledgment of your application through the online process. If you do not receive a notification of your
application, please contact devon.coates@gatenbysanderson.com

The panel will then assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against
the essential criteria set out in the ‘Person Specification’ section. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.

The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, and all candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon
as possible thereafter. Candidates selected for longlisting will be invited for a preliminary discussion with GatenbySanderson to further explore their
skills and experience.
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The recruitment process continued
Stage 2 - Shortlist: The panel will review interview reports on longlisted candidates and select the shortlist. Shortlisted candidates will be advised on the
outcome as soon as possible thereafter.

Stage 3 - Assessment: If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to take part in the following assessment: Staff Engagement Exercise (SEE) – a presentation
and Q&A with representative staff from across NS&I. This assessment will not result in a pass or fail mark, but outcome and feedback from these will
reported to the panel ahead of the panel interview.

Stage 4 - Informal discussions: Shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to speak to the NS&I Chair, Ed Anderson, and the vacancy holder, James
Bowler (Permanent Secretary, HM Treasury), and potentially wider stakeholders, including Ministers, prior to final interview. This is an informal discussion
allowing candidates to learn more about the role and not part of the assessment.

Stage 5 - Interview: You will be asked to attend a panel interview where you will be asked to give a presentation and then have a more in-depth
discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. Full details of the
interview format will be provided to shortlisted candidates prior to interview.

The Panel will be chaired by Gisela Stuart, First Commissioner who will be joined by the Vacancy Holder James Bowler who is the Permanent Secretary,
HM Treasury, Ed Anderson, Chair of NS&I, and Jill Lucas, NED with NS&I.

Outcome and feedback: Candidates that are unsuccessful will be notified and given feedback by our search partners GatenbySanderson.

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The Panel
Rt Hon Baroness Gisela Stuart of
Edgbaston (panel chair) was
appointed as First Civil Commissioner
on 3rd March 2022. Baroness Stuart
served as a Labour Member of
Parliament from 1997 until 2017.
During her twenty years in
Parliament, she worked as a
government minister in 1999-2001,
sat on the Security and Intelligence
Committee and chaired Vote Leave in
2016. From 2017, Baroness Stuart
has contributed to public life with
non-partisan roles. This includes roles
at the Royal Mint, Birmingham City
University and as the lead Non
Executive Board Member at the
Cabinet Office. Baroness Stuart now
sits as a Crossbench Peer where she
operates independently, outside of a
party-political framework.
James Bowler (vacancy holder)
became Permanent Secretary of HM
Treasury in October 2022. Prior to
this, James served as Permanent
Secretary for the Department for
International Trade (DIT), and before
that, he served as Second Permanent
Secretary of the Cabinet Office
leading the COVID Taskforce from
October 2020. In this role, he was
responsible for the management and
leadership of the taskforce that set
out the government’s strategy to
tackle the pandemic and its impacts.
Prior to that he served as Director
General of Policy, Communication
and Analysis in the Ministry of
Justice, 2020.
Ed Anderson, Chair of NS&I: In
January 2020, Ed was reappointed as
Chair of NS&I. Previously Ed was
appointed as Chairman in January
2017, having originally joined NS&I’s
board as a Non-executive Director in
February 2016. Ed has held a number
of senior executive and non-
executive roles. He was previously
the Chairman of the Yorkshire
Building Society from 2007 to 2015
and Managing Director of Leeds
Bradford Airport for 10 years.
Jill Lucas, NED with NS&I: Jill was
appointed a Non-Executive Director
for a three year term from February
2019 and was reappointed to the
NS&I Board on 1 February 2022 for a
further three year term. Jill has spent
all her career in technology, currently
as a consultant at US Healthcare-
giant, Mass General Brigham and
prior to that at Unilever. She has
served as Chief Information Officer at
both Towergate Insurance and Belron
International. In her early career, she
undertook many technology
leadership roles at Reuters (now
Thomson Reuters), Barclays and
Sainsburys. Jill is also a Non-executive
Director of Curtis Banks plc and
Chairman of Dunstan Thomas Ltd.
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Indicative timeline
Please note that these dates are only indicative at thisstage and may be subject tochange. Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, whilst
exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selectionprocess. The anticipated timetable is shown below

Closing date to submit application: 23:55 on

Monday 2nd January 2023
Review of applications will take place from Tuesday 3rd
January 2023
Longlist stage will be week commencing Monday 9th January
2023
Preliminary interviews with GatenbySanderson
will occur w/c 16th &23rd January
Shortlistmeeting week commencing 30th January
2023
Assessments week commencing
Monday 6th February 2023

2022 2023

Interviews weeks commencing–

depending on number of candidates
shortlisted w/c 13th February 2023

Results notified Feb

2023

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Frequently asked
questions and further
information

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Frequently asked questions
1. Can I apply if I am not currently a civil servant?
Yes. This role is open to suitably qualified people in the external
market and to existing civil servants and those in accredited Non
Departmental Public Bodies.
2. Are these roles permanent?
This role is being offered on a permanent basis.
3. Are these roles suitable for part-timeworking?
This is a full time role, however, flexible working arrangements will be
considered. You should discuss your needs with the hiring manager if
you are invited to interview.
4. Will the roles involve travel?
Yes, travel across the Directorate is required for this role
5.Where will the roles be based?
This role will be based in London and there will be a requirement to
travel. The department is committed to promoting flexible ways of
working, whilst enabling the business to operate at maximum efficiency
and will expect colleagues to work from a blend of locations, including
some time working at home (as required).
The office location will be the designated place of work and any remote
or home working arrangement does not constitute a change to your
designated place of work or contractual Terms and Conditions.
6. Can I claim back any expenses incurred during the
recruitment process?
No. Unfortunately we will not be able to reimburse you, except in
exceptional circumstances and only when agreed in advance.
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Frequently asked questions
7. What nationality do I need to hold in order to apply?
The Civil Service Nationality Rules are written into law, they are exempt
from the Equality Act 2010 and must be followed. They outline who can
and cannot work in the Civil Service. In summary from 1st January 2021
broadly the following groups will be able to work in the non-reserved
posts within the Civil Service:
UK nationals
Nationals of Commonwealth countries
Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
EEA nationals with (or eligible for) status under the EUSS
Relevant EEA or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
Relevant EEA or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work
in the Civil Service
Certain family members of the relevant EU & Turkish nationals
Verification against the nationality rules will be undertaken as part of the
pre–employment checks.
8. What reasonable adjustments can be made if I have a
disability?
We are committed to making reasonable adjustments in order to support
disabled job applicants and ensure that you are not disadvantaged in the
recruitment and assessment process. Reasonable adjustments could
include; allowing extra time during selection tests; ensuring that
information is provided in an accessible format or; by providing training.
If you feel that you may need a reasonable adjustment to be made, or
you would like to discuss your requirements in more detail, please
contact us in the first instance.
If you wish to receive a hard copy of the information, or in an alternative
format e.g. Audio, Braille or large font then please contact:
devon.coates@gatenbysanderson.com
9. . Is security clearance required?
Yes. If successful you must hold, or be willing to obtain, security clearance
to SC level. Find out more information about the vetting process.
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 Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to
becoming the mostinclusive employer
in the UK.
We are committed to understanding,
respecting and representing as broad a
range of views and backgrounds as we
have in UK society. We know that
diverse perspectives and experiences
are critical to an effective, modern Civil
Service.
Our vision is to ensure the Civil Service
represents modern Britain and is a truly
inclusive employer, an example to other
employers. We will create an organisation
where diversity is not only respected and
valued, but celebrated.
What’s in it for me?
We want to maximise the potential of everyone
who chooses to work for us - regardless of
background.
If you’re interested in becoming a world class
leader, developing your career with us, starting
with this interesting and challenging role, or doing
things differently and inspiring colleagues, then
the Civil Service is the place for you.
Our passion for diversity and equality means
creating a work environment for all employees that
is welcoming, respectful, engaging, and enriched
with opportunities for personal and professional
development.
What’snext?
You’ve taken the first step and looked through this
job pack to understand theskills and experience
needed to perform these roles. Now join us in
achieving our ambitions and let us help you achieve
yours. Find out more. 18
 For a confidential conversation or for more information about the role, please contact
our retained search partners GatenbySanderson:

Rosanne Sarratt, Principal Researcher

rosanne.sarratt@gatenbysanderson.com

Contact details Darra Power Mooney, Senior Consultant

darra.power-mooney@gatenbysanderson.com

Michael Dobson, Partner

michael.dobson@gatenbysanderson.com

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