Cabinet Office Homepage

Main navigation

Government recruits industry experts to step up the game on better regulation

John Hutton, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, today announced two dynamic new recruits to the challenge of continuing to cut red tape and promote better regulation.

William Sargent who is currently joint Chief Executive and co–founder of FrameStore CFC, and former Chair of the Small Business Council, is appointed as Executive Chair of the Government's Better Regulation Executive (BRE); and Rick Haythornthwaite until last month Chief Executive of Invensys plc, the global automation and controls group, is appointed as Chair of the Better Regulation Commission (BRC), the independent watchdog that will monitor the reform programme. These new recruits put top–level expertise at the forefront of the Government's drive to cut burdens on business, the public and voluntary sectors.

Welcoming both appointments, John Hutton said:
‘We have now embarked on one of the most ambitious and far–reaching regulatory reform programmes in the world. William Sargent will drive through the major change programme for business and public sector stakeholders. His proven track record in the business community shows that he will be influential and provide strong leadership in the Government's efforts to reduce bureaucracy and regulate better.

‘I greatly value William's understanding of the concerns of small businesses gained through his time as the Chair of the Small Business Council. He will also play a key role in our work to measure Whitehall administrative burdens and help set challenging target to reduce them.

‘Rick Haythornthwaite's appointment will enable the independent BRC to continue the challenging role – started in 1997 with the establishment of the Better Regulation Task Force – of calling departments to account on their efforts to reduce bureaucracy.’

William Sargent will lead the BRE in delivering the Government's radical programme for regulatory reform, including reducing administrative burdens on business and the public sector, and rationalising the number of regulators and inspectorates. He will work with senior Ministers including the Prime Minister and the Chancellor and with senior business people and key stakeholders across the UK. Mr Sargent will drive forward the better regulation agenda in Europe, ensuring that EU regulations are implemented effectively within the UK.

William Sargent said;
‘It is a particular privilege to be asked to lead the newly–established Better Regulation Executive, an initiative which I consider a step change in the Government's approach to regulatory reform. Eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy and rationalising the number of inspectorates are two projects about which I am particularly passionate, but I look forward to bringing fresh ideas to the government's endeavours to improve the quality of regulation across the public, private and voluntary sectors.’

Mr Sargent, who takes up his post next month, will work closely with John Hutton, Cabinet Secretary Gus O'Donnell and Rick Haythornthwaite, the newly appointed Chair of the BRC.

Rick Haythornthwaite will officially take up post from 1 January 2006 when the current Chair of the Better Regulation Task Force, Sir David Arculus, steps down. Mr Haythornthwaite will lead the BRC in providing independent advice and external challenge to Government about new regulatory proposals and the Government's overall performance on delivering the better regulation commitments announced in Budget 2005.

Rick Haythornthwaite said:
‘The independent BRC will be ideally placed to provide advice to government about better regulation as well as an external assessment of progress on behalf of those being regulated. I am extremely pleased to be able to accept this appointment and look forward to tackling the many challenges ahead to ensure that the UK becomes the world leader for better regulation.’

The Commission was announced in the March 2005 Budget. From January 2006 it will take on the work of the Better Regulation Task Force and provide external monitoring of the Government's ambitious reform proposals, including vetting departmental plans for reducing administrative burdens and to provide independent scrutiny of government regulations.

Notes for Editors

1. Biographies
   
   William Sargent Biography
   William is joint chief executive and co–founder (in 1986) of Framestore CFC, one of the world's leading companies in the creation of digital images and services for the advertising, media, film and television markets, including Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
   
   Until June 2005 William chaired the Small Business Council (SBC). In his capacity as Chair of the SBC, William was invited to attend the Panel on Regulatory Accountability Cabinet Committee which holds government departments and their regulators to account for their regulatory performance and ensures that the burden of regulation on business is kept to the minimum necessary.
   From June 1st 2005 non–executive director, HM Treasury Board.
   
   Rick Haythornthwaite Biography
   Rick Haythornthwaite was, until July 2005, the Chief Executive of Invesys, the global automation and controls group. Prior to 2001, he was Chief Executive of Blue Circle Industries until its acquisition by Lafarge.
   
   Rick is a Non-Executive director of ICI plc, Chairman of the Centre for Creative Communities, Chairman of the Almedia Theatre, Chairman of the Corporate Advisory Group at the Tate Gallery, a Board Member of the British Council and a Trustee of the National Museum of Science and Industry
2. The Government announced the creation of the Better Regulation Executive (BRE) in the Cabinet Office in the March Budget, 2005.
3. The overall aim of the BRE is to deliver better regulation and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy. Its work covers the private, public and voluntary sectors, across domestic and European issues. More information on the BRE can be found at www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/regulation
4. The Government also announced in Budget 2005 that it would evolve the Better Regulation Task Force (BRTF) into the Better Regulation Commission (BRC). The BRC will formally come into existence from 1 January 2006. The BRC will also take on new responsibilities for monitoring the reforms first set out in the March Budget, 2005.
5. The BRC, like the BRTF, will be an independent advisory body sponsored by the Cabinet Office. More information on the BRTF can be found at www.brtf.gov.uk [External website]
6. Both appointments are initially for 3 years, extendable by mutual agreement. The post holders will have extensive representational duties both in the UK and in Europe.

Cabinet Office
Press Office
70 Whitehall
LONDON SW1A 2AS

Tel: 020 7276 0174 or 020 7276 0436 – Fax: 020 7276 0618

Out of hours telephone 07699 113300 and ask for pager number 721338.

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk