Re-advertisement of the post of Chair of the Strategic Food and Drink Advisory Group – sift report and recommendations for interview shortlist (Saesneg yn unig)

Date of decision / Dyddiad y penderfyniad:

06 May 2009

Statement of information / Datganiad gwybodaeth:

The Strategic Food and Drink Advisory Group (FDAG) has been in place since December 2008.  Appointed by the Welsh Minister for Rural Affairs through a public appointments process, the group represents the entire food and drink supply chain.  Its role is to advise Ministers and Welsh Assembly Government officials on the strategic development of the food and drink industry in Wales.  The FDAG, in conjunction with officials, will have significant input into the development of an overarching strategy for the food and drink industry in Wales and monitor its implementation.  However, no suitable candidate for the post of the Chair of the FDAG has been identified during the previous round of appointments.  Therefore, the post has been re-advertised.  It is expected that a Chair will be appointed in June 2009.

The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to making appointments to public bodies, whether paid or unpaid, by fair and open competition.  Although the appointments to the Strategic Food and Drink Advisory Group do not come within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments, these appointments are being made using a process which takes into account the Commissioner’s Code of Practice on Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies as best practice.

The appointment process reflects the Welsh Assembly Government’s policy to promote and integrate equality of opportunity into all aspects of its business including appointments to public bodies.  The Welsh Assembly Government Public Appointments Unit has written to a wide range of organisations including ethnic minority communities and disabled groups inviting them to circulate the advert to potential candidates and asking them to encourage people to apply.  Applications from people in under represented groups, including females, minority ethnic communities and disabled people were encouraged.