Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister announces new candidate for the Commissioner for Public Appointments

Fiona Cannon OBE has been confirmed as the Prime Minister's preferred candidate for the role of Commissioner for Public Appointments

The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones has today confirmed Fiona Cannon OBE as the Prime Minister’s preferred candidate for the role of Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Fiona brings extensive experience which will support the government’s objectives to bring

in the best talent from across the country by holding the government to account on fairness, transparency, and the timeliness and diversity of its appointments.

The recommendation follows a fair and open recruitment process. Pre-appointment scrutiny by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) will follow in due course.

The current Commissioner, Sir William Shawcross CVO has held the post since September 2021 and his term will end in July.

The Rt Hon Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister said:

I am delighted to announce Fiona Cannon as the Government’s preferred candidate as the next Commissioner for Public Appointments. Fiona is an excellent candidate with a wealth of expertise, including from across the private sector, and I am sure she will do a fantastic job driving confidence in the system.

I would like to extend my thanks to Sir William Shawcross for carrying out this important role over the last five years and his commitment to transparency and improving candidates’ experience