Ministers make a large number of appointments to regional and national bodies each year. They act to a greater extent or lesser extent at arms length from Ministers, although Ministers remain accountable for the bodies performance.
Appointees come from all walks of life.
They are selected for their ability to make a contribution to the effective running of the body. The skills and experience required of appointees are varied. They include being able to contribute to decision making at a strategic level, having professional experience in a particular field, or representing consumer interests on matters such as financial services. The terms of appointment vary considerably. Some require a full time commitment, others just a few hours each month.