Preferred candidate for Chair of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority announced

Margaret McKinlay, former Acting Chief Executive at the Immigration Advisory Service, has been selected as the preferred candidate to take over as Chair of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA). Ms McKinlay was identified following a rigorous selection process, validated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Agriculture Minister Jim Paice has invited the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) to hold a pre-appointment hearing and to report on Ms McKinlay’s suitability for the post. This is in line with the Government’s commitment to strengthen the role of Parliament in scrutinising major public appointments.

Notes

1. The GLA is a Defra sponsored Non-Departmental Public Body responsible for the operation of licensing arrangements for those who supply labour or use workers to provide services in agriculture, forestry, horticulture, shellfish gathering and food processing and packaging.

For more information go to: http://gla.defra.gov.uk

2. Ms McKinlay currently holds senior positions at several charitable organisations, including Chair of the Disabled Living Foundation and Governor of Westminster Kingsway College. During 2009/10 she was Managing Director, promoted to Acting Chief Executive, at the Immigration Advisory Service.

3. Pre-appointment hearings enable select committees to take evidence from candidates for major public appointments before they are appointed. Hearings are in public and involve the select committee publishing a report setting out their views on the candidate’s suitability for the post. Pre-appointment hearings are non-binding but Ministers will consider the committee’s views before deciding whether to proceed with the appointment.