Committee welcomes new Chief Commissioner, Independent Commission for Aid Impact
11 December 2014
The International Development Committee has endorsed the appointment of Dr Alison Evans as Chief Commissioner of the ICAI.
- Report: Appointment of the Chief Commissioner of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact
- Report: Appointment of the Chief Commissioner of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (PDF 264KB)
- Inquiry: Appointment of the Chief Commissioner of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact
- International Development Committee
Sir Malcolm Bruce MP, Chair of the Committee, said:
“We are very pleased to endorse Dr Evans’ appointment to this post. ICAI has a crucial role in scrutinising aid spending by the UK Government, helping to ensure that aid is effectively targeted and used, and combatting corruption. We were very impressed by Dr Evans’ full understanding of the remit of the role, and she clearly has a grip on the potential conflicts of interest and how to reconcile them. We look forward to working with her to further the accountability of ICAI to Parliament through this Committee. We would also like to thank the out-going Chair of ICAI Graham Ward for his impressive work as Commissioner. Although he came from a non-development background, he and his fellow commissioners have created an excellent track record of reports, and have built a strong working relationship with this Committee. We look forward to continuing this constructive relationship with Dr Evans.”
The Committee also recommends, however, some changes to the composition of ICAI, and the recruitment process going forward.
It says at least one of the existing Commissioners should be reappointed for a further term to ensure continuity, and that one of the Commissioners should be an audit professional.
The selection process used means an unranked list of four candidates deemed "appointable" is presented to the Secretary of State for consideration. The Committee says this puts too much power in the hands of the Secretary of State for an independent scrutiny post, and threatens to undermine the candidate in the eyes of the public who may assume that the candidate most sympathetic to DFID was chosen.
Instead, panels for ICAI Commissioner Appointments should be invited to rank candidates or otherwise advise the Secretary of State as they see fit.