Our governance

Decision-making, executive and managerial bodies in the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

Roles and Structure of our Boards and Committees

Departmental Board

The Departmental Board forms the collective strategic and operational leadership of the department, bringing together the ministerial and civil service leaders with senior non-executives from outside government. It is responsible for setting MoJ’s strategic direction, including reviewing delivery against the MoJ business plan. Its remit is advising and challenging on performance and delivery, including appropriate oversight of sponsored bodies.

The Board assures itself that the departmental priorities and efficiency agenda for MoJ are delivered and the associated risks in the strategic risk register managed. In its discussions, the Board considers the needs of departmental users and stakeholders.

Members:

Audit Risk and Assurance Committee

As a sub-committee of the Departmental Board, the Audit Risk and Assurance Committee supports the Board and the Principal Accounting Officer by reviewing the completeness and reliability of assurances over the design and operation of governance, risk management and internal control frameworks and the integrity of financial statements in the department. This includes oversight of the assurances over the department’s executive agencies and arm’s length bodies.

Members:

  • Paul Smith, Non Executive Board Member (Chair)
  • Shirley Cooper, Non Executive Board Member
  • Alison Bexfield, Independent Member

Nominations Committee

As a sub-committee of the Departmental Board, the Nominations Committee provides assurance on senior executive appointments within the department. This includes succession planning, talent management and pay strategy (including remuneration and process for Board-level appointments).

Members:

Delivery Board

The Delivery Board provides assurance to the Principal Accounting Officer and the Departmental Board of the delivery of the Department’s strategy, Outcome Delivery Plan, and Government Major Projects Portfolio. This includes oversight and scrutiny of the activities, and enabling projects and programmes, that drive agreed outcomes, ensuring that plans are well evidenced and strategic benefits are on track to be delivered.

Members:

  • Jo Farrar, Second Permanent Secretary & CEO of HMPPS (Chair)
  • Mark Rawlinson, Lead Non Executive Board Member
  • Paul Smith, Non Executive Board Member
  • James McEwen, Interim Chief Financial Officer
  • Jenni Borg, Interim Director - Project Delivery Function
  • Alison Baptiste, Infrastructure & Projects Authority
  • Philippa Davies, HM Treasury

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is the senior executive leadership team for the Department and supports the Permanent Secretary, as the Principal Accounting Officer.

The Executive Committee’s remit is to:

  • Ensure the Department is fully aligned with the strategic direction set by the Secretary of State and has the capability to deliver this
  • Oversee the delivery of Ministers’ priorities and the activities and outcomes associated with these
  • Take a balanced view of the department’s approach to managing opportunity and risk
  • Prioritise and allocate financial and other resources
  • Provide assurance that internal controls operate properly
  • Provide support and assurance for major policies and projects
  • Develop and promote the department’s culture, values, and approach to diversity and inclusion

Members:

  • Antonia Romeo, Permanent Secretary
  • Jo Farrar, Second Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, HM Prison & Probation Service
  • Kevin Sadler, Acting Chief Executive, HM Courts and Tribunals Service
  • Phil Copple, Director General Prisons, HM Prison & Probation Service
  • Amy Rees, Director General Probation, Wales and Youth, HM Prison & Probation Service
  • James McEwen, Interim Chief Financial Officer
  • Jerome Glass, Director General, Policy Group
  • Mark Adam, Chief People Officer
  • Naomi Mallick, Director MoJ Legal Advisors
  • Ross Gribbin, Strategy Director

Investment Committee

The Investment Committee is a sub-committee of the Executive Committee. It has delegated powers to make investment decisions on the Executive Committee’s behalf, with oversight of the MoJ portfolio, including portfolio projects from inception through to implementation, ensuring they remain strategically aligned, affordable and deliverable.

Members:

  • James McEwen, Interim Chief Financial Officer (Chair)
  • Andrew Baigent, Chief Financial Officer, HM Courts and Tribunals Service
  • Ian Blakeman, Executive Director, Strategy, Planning & Performance, HM Prison & Probation Service
  • Jenni Borg, Interim Project Delivery Director
  • Naomi Mallick, Director MoJ Legal Advisors
  • Caroline Patterson, Finance Director, Strategy, Planning and Performance
  • Andy Mills, Estates Director
  • Rob Nicholas, Deputy Director, Portfolio
  • Gina Gill, Chief Digital & Information Officer
  • Adrian Richards, Director, Data and Analysis
  • Barry Hooper, Chief Commercial Officer
  • Paul Harris, Interim Operations Director, HM Courts and Tribunals Service

Finance, Performance & Risk Committee

The Finance, Performance & Risk Committee is a sub-committee of the Executive Committee. It oversees and scrutinises delivery against the Outcome Delivery Plan, informs management of the Department’s principal and secondary risks, and monitors compliance with functional standards and other government, legal or professional requirements.

Members:

  • James McEwen, Interim Chief Financial Officer (Chair)
  • Mark Adam, Chief People Officer), Chief People Officer
  • Ross Gribbin, Strategy Director
  • Caroline Patterson, Director of Financial Strategy, Planning & Performance
  • Mark Ripley, Director of Governance, Risk & Assurance
  • Richard McSeveney, Functional Leadership Director
  • Andrew Baigent, Chief Financial Officer, HM Courts and Tribunals Service
  • Ian Blakeman, Executive Director, Strategy, Planning & Performance, HM Prison & Probation Service

People Business Committee

The People Business Committee is a sub-committee of the Executive Committee. It supports the Executive Committee with its leadership and management of people and workforce strategies.

Members:

  • Jo Farrar, Second Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, HM Prison & Probation Service (Chair)
  • Mark Adam, Chief People Officer), Chief People Officer
  • Jo Hicks, Deputy Chief People Officer, Director of Strategy, Leadership, and Belonging
  • Dave Mann, Interim Director of People Strategy and Delivery
  • Caroline Murray, Director of Business Partnering and Change
  • Diane Caddle, Interim Director of Social Value
  • Johanna Keech-Jowers, Deputy Director Diversity, Inclusion and Well-being
  • Ian Blakeman, Executive Director, Strategy, Planning & Performance, HM Prison & Probation Service
  • Louise Alexander, HR Director, HM Courts and Tribunals Service
  • Simon Barrett, Director of Communications
  • Jane Harbottle, Chief Executive, Legal Aid Agency
  • Lorna Maden, Director – Finance Business Partnering
  • Kerri Phillips, Deputy Director, Performance and Business Support, Policy & Strategy Group

Structure of our boards and committees

For more information on our boards and committees and to view a visual representation of our governance structure, see our Annual report and accounts: 2020 to 2021 (pages 55-89)

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