Serjeant at Arms appointed
16 April 2012 (updated on 16 April 2012)
Mr Speaker has informed the House that the Queen has been pleased to approve that Lawrence Ward be appointed Serjeant at Arms in succession to Jill Pay, who retired on 31 January 2012.
The appointment of Lawrence Ward followed an open competition and interview by a panel of Members of the House of Commons, senior officials and one external member. A shortlist of candidates was then interviewed by Mr Speaker, an MP and the Director General of HR & Change before the successful candidate was proposed to the Queen for approval.
Mr Ward has worked in the House since 2002 and has been Assistant Serjeant at Arms since 2008. He has been acting Deputy Serjeant at Arms since November 2011. He will take up post on 1 May.