"The Integration Steering Team (IST) will spearhead the significant changes that will help us progress towards the vision of One MAF. To set the correct foundation, we conducted a careful and impartial selection process to identify individuals who possess a combination of wisdom, skills, knowledge, experience, and strengths for the IST. We are confident that we have achieved this goal, and we want to commend these leaders to you." - The Vision Panel

The appointment process

The Vision Panel developed principles to guide both the design of the IST appointment criteria and the process.

Here are the principles that shaped the design of the appointment process:

Appointment principles

Appointment criteria included essential characteristics spanning leadership experience, desired behaviours and skills, natural strength as well as subject matter expertise and know-how.

  1. Board Chairs and CEOs were invited to nominate people they believed were a great fit based on these criteria.
  2. As some of the Vision Panel were nominees they could not be part of the selection process. Objectivity and independence were ensured by asking PA Consulting to conduct all appointment conversations. (It was originally planned for a member of the Vision Panel to conduct these conversations in partnership with PA, but the Panel recognised this could present a potential conflict of interest).
  3. Two members of PA met with each nominee, following a consistent approach and process, covering the same questions. Detailed notes were taken of the conversations to enable a thorough review of each person against the criteria. 
  4. PA analysed the evidence from the conversations against the agreed criteria. They presented to the Vision Panel an anonymised review of each nominee to maintain objectivity and proposed a shorter list of people who could do a good job on the IST. 
  5. This shorter list represented a wealth of talent – but more people than the available ‘seats’ on the IST. So we convened a sub-group of the Vision Panel – comprising members who hadn’t been nominated to minimise any conflict of interest. This group were given a mandate to make a final recommendation on behalf of the wider Vision Panel to put to the Board Chairs. We then had a 24-hour period of reflection to review the shortlist to ensure the proposed members brought the right balance of leadership, strengths and expertise.
  6. A report was provided to the Board Chairs detailing the appointment criteria, process and recommended members of the IST and how they fulfilled the appointment criteria. The Board Chairs were given time to review this report, ask questions and provide feedback to the Vision Panel, before going to a final vote where each Board Chair was given equal voting power.

Moving forward, it is appreciated that people will be keen to hear about progress. The IST will be committed to open, timely and transparent communication as it works out its next steps in setting up the Integration Programme.