Public appointments — to the boards of listed companies, regulated entities, public bodies, and high-profile charities — involve a level of public and regulatory scrutiny that private appointments do not. The appointment of an individual to a senior public role creates reputational exposure for the appointing organisation if adverse information about that individual subsequently emerges, and it creates personal exposure for the individual if their background has not been adequately assessed before the appointment is made and announced.
A reputational due diligence investigation before a public appointment is the structured research of a prospective appointee’s background, history, and public profile, conducted confidentially before the appointment is announced, to identify any information that is relevant to the appointment decision.
What Reputational Due Diligence Covers
Corporate and professional history: a comprehensive review of the individual’s corporate associations, professional roles, and career history, verifying the accuracy of their stated background and identifying any matters not disclosed.
Public record investigation: systematic search of court records, regulatory databases, and other public sources for any adverse information relevant to the individual’s fitness for the appointment.
Media and public profile review: a structured review of the individual’s public profile, including media coverage, published statements, social media, and any public controversy that may be relevant to the appointment.
Conflict of interest assessment: identification of any business interests, relationships, or external commitments that may conflict with the responsibilities of the proposed appointment.
The Regulatory Dimension for FCA Appointments
For appointments to boards of FCA-regulated firms, the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR) creates specific fitness and propriety requirements that the firm must assess before the appointment is approved. Bond Rees due diligence provides the evidential foundation for that assessment, going beyond what a standard CV review or reference check can establish.
Considering a public or regulated appointment? Contact Bond Rees for confidential reputational due diligence.
