Chair of the Local Audit Office in Birmingham

Overview

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is seeking to appoint a Chair for the Local Audit Office. Appointment details – Local Audit Office – Chair – Apply for a public appointment – GOV.UK.

Local public bodies are at the heart of our communities. They support democracy and help deliver vital public services. The local audit system covers a wide range of public sector bodies (including local authorities, police, fire and National Health Service bodies). An effective and efficient external audit system is vital to ensure transparency and accountability for billions of pounds of public funds. This government is delivering a major overhaul of the local audit system by leading a reform programme to modernise a broken system that has faced complexity, fragmentation and capacity challenges. The scale of the problem has included the backlog of outstanding unaudited accounts, which led to a paralysis of local audit prior to this government’s action to tackle it. The problems in local government financial reporting and the backlog in unaudited accounts contributed to the Whole of Government Accounts disclaimer for 2022/23 and 2023/24, and a general loss of public accountability and trust in the system.

As part of the overhaul, we are launching the Local Audit Office. The Local Audit Office will play a critical role in delivering reforms, strengthening accountability, securing better value for money for taxpayers, and supporting long‑term economic growth. The Office will reduce complexity, improve coordination across the system, and improve capacity and capability. Its vision is to oversee and coordinate the auditing of local public bodies to promote effective, value for money and timely local audit, and to put the system back on a secure footing, rebuilding transparency, accountability and public trust. Its development will be iterative, with functions evolving to fulfil its long‑term vision.

The Local Audit Office\’s role is particularly critical during the biggest reforms to local government in a generation. The government is undertaking a historic programme of local government reorganisation across England. By ending the two‑tier system, we will set up local government to help grow the economy with new homes and infrastructure, and invest in prevention to deliver better value for money for taxpayers. The Office will oversee the quality and timeliness of financial reporting in local government, including bodies created through reorganisation, to embed the highest standards of transparency and accountability for taxpayers.

We are looking for a charismatic and influential leader with strong strategic leadership experience to oversee the establishment of the Local Audit Office. You will lead on the establishment and strategic development of the organisation after launch, while ensuring the broader programme of audit reform for local bodies (including rebuilding assurance after the backlog) is delivered to restore accountability, transparency, and public trust. You will provide visible, public‑facing leadership for the Local Audit Office, and play a crucial role in its development through support, challenge and advice on both immediate delivery milestones and long‑term direction. You will influence a wide range of government and sector stakeholders, build consensus and navigate complex challenges. Through collaborative leadership across organisational boundaries, you will drive forward these critical reforms.

You will be at the heart of a bold and ambitious mission to transform the local audit system. This is an opportunity to make a real impact for communities and taxpayers. If you have the experience and skills we seek, we encourage you to apply. Full details of the role, responsibilities and commitments are set out in the document. We welcome candidates from a wide range of backgrounds, including those from ethnic minority backgrounds. For questions about the role or application process, please contact PublicAppointments@communities.gov.uk.

Key responsibilities

• Leadership and governance
• Operational delivery
• Strategy and vision
• Engagement

Essential criteria

• Local Audit. A strong interest in advancing the importance of local audit in underpinning public sector accountability, with an excellent understanding of public finances and the role of public audit.
• Political astuteness and wider public sector insight. Experience of strategic leadership within complex, public‑facing organisations, with strong political awareness and understanding of local and national government, Parliament, and the wider public sector. Familiarity with public sector structures including governance and accountability frameworks, and operational environments. Demonstrable public service values such as transparency and efficiency.
• Leadership. Strong leadership skills, with board‑level experience within large and/or complex organisations in the public or private sector; this could include arm’s‑length bodies, either in the UK or overseas. Proven record of sound judgement and diplomacy. A collaborative, outcomes‑focused leader who can build consensus and navigate ambiguity, including with UK Government colleagues.
• Organisational development. Track record of building organisational capability and culture, bringing together a diverse workforce to create an inclusive workplace that attracts and retains talent and builds a strong reputation.
• Communication skills. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement to build trust across diverse audiences and influence senior leaders to drive collaboration and reform within the local audit system.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of setting up and/or working with arm’s‑length bodies.
• Leadership experience in local audit bodies, audit suppliers or regulatory bodies would be an advantage.
• Strong understanding of the policy and regulatory framework for local financial reporting and local audit.
• Experience transforming and overseeing a highly complex regulatory system with achievements in delivering sustainable long‑term reforms in the public interest.
• Understanding of business market management, contract management and commercial procurement.
• Experience and knowledge of managing public money.

Remuneration

£765 per day. This remuneration is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, deducted at source under PAYE before payment.

Time Commitment

Early years: up to 5 days per week. Once established, expected to be 3 days per week.

Term

Term of 5 years, appointed by ministers.

Location

Headquarters at 23 Stephenson Street, Birmingham. The successful candidate can work remotely from anywhere in the UK, with occasional travel to the Birmingham office.

Please note: This appointment is subject to the passage of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. Ministers will need to formally reconfirm the appointment following commencement.

How to Apply

Candidates apply via the Public Appointments website. You can access the site here: Appointment details – Local Audit Office – Chair – Apply for a public appointment – GOV.UK. To apply, create an account or sign in, click on apply for this role, and follow the on‑screen instructions. You will need to provide:

1. Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages).
2. Supporting Statement (maximum 2 pages).
3. Equality Information (not used in selection).
4. Declaration of outside interests or potential conflicts of interest. The panel will explore declarations during interview; failure to disclose could affect appointment. Due diligence will be carried out and shared with the panel and ministers.

Diversity data is confidential and used for data gathering only. We will ask you to check your personal details for accuracy and support reasonable adjustment requests or Disability Confident submissions.

We are unable to accept late or incomplete applications.

Assessment Process

Public appointments are made on merit, in accordance with the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments. The decision is made by ministers with advice from the advisory assessment panel. The timeline is indicative and subject to change. If you cannot meet timeframes, contact PublicAppointments@communities.gov.uk.

The advisory assessment panel will be:

• Will Garton – Panel Chair and Director General of Local Government, Growth and Communities, MHCLG
• Rosie Seymour – MHCLG Representative and Deputy Director of Local Audit Reform
• Nick Scarles – Independent Panel Member
• Annell Smith – External Panel Member

This post will be subject to a pre‑appointment hearing by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee.

Indicative Timeline

The timeline is indicative and may change. If you cannot meet timeframes, contact PublicAppointments@communities.gov.uk.

• Closing date: 5pm on 18 February 2026
• Shortlisting: March 2026 (TBC)
• Panel interviews: May 2026 (TBC). Interviews remote; copies of passports may be required.
• Provisional start date: July 2026 (TBC).

Note: The period between interview and final appointment decision can take weeks; candidates will be kept informed.

Diversity and Equal Opportunities

The MHCLG is committed to merit, openness, fairness, and equal opportunities. Applications are welcome from all; we particularly encourage applications from women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities and other underrepresented groups. Meetings may be held via video conference or other locations around the UK; some travel and unsocial hours may be required.

If you believe you have the experience and qualities we seek, we look forward to receiving your application.

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident employer, a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants meeting the minimum criteria will be offered an interview. The minimum criteria are demonstrated in your application. You may apply under this scheme by completing the declaration in the online application form.

Reasonable Adjustments

For confidential discussion regarding reasonable adjustments during the process, indicate this in your application email or contact PublicAppointments@communities.gov.uk. You do not need to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme to request adjustments.

Further Information

For further information please contact PublicAppointments@communities.gov.uk. Please put “Local Audit Office – Chair Recruitment Campaign” in the subject line.

We aim to process applications quickly and treat all applicants with courtesy. If you have complaints about the process, contact PublicAppointments@communications.gov.uk. If unresolved, you may contact the Commissioner for Public Appointments at publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk.

GDPR

We will process your application under the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018. Data will be held securely and used for recruitment purposes. Data may be shared with Cabinet Office and the Commissioner for Public Appointments to meet governance and public equality duties.

Your data will be stored for 2 years; if appointed, for the duration of tenure, and may be shared with the appointing organisation unless you request otherwise. For removal of data, contact PublicAppointments@communities.gov.uk.

Seven Principles of Public Life

Public office holders should adhere to the seven principles: Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty, and Leadership. Applicants will be assessed on merit and must uphold these standards. For conflicts of interest or other issues, contact PublicAppointments@communities.gov.uk.