New Chair of the UK Sustainable Development Commission (SDC)

The Prime Minister has appointed William Day as the new Chair of the UK Sustainable Development Commission (SDC). Mr Day takes over from Jonathan Porritt on 27 July 2009 for a period of three years.

Biographical Details
Mr Day has acquired extensive experience across social, economic and environmental portfolios both at home and abroad.  He is the former Chief Executive of Care International and has spent a significant amount of his career based in Africa.  In the UK he has held many roles, including; Chairman of BBC Children in Need, external advisor to the BBC Corporate Social Responsibility Board and Non-executive Director of South Kent NHS Hospitals Trust.
He worked in South Africa on many different projects, has provided consultancy services for many development organisations and has been an active public speaker and commentator on sustainable development. In addition to this, William  has been a faculty member of the Prince of Wales Business and the Environment programme since 2004, a senior advisor to the UNDP Growing Business Initiative and also the Chairman of Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP).

Whilst at CARE William arranged to develop a Memorandum of Understanding with World Wildlife UK to manage the recognised overlap between the social and environmental issues. Will was formerly a member of the Grants Committee (1989-93) Charities Aid Foundation; member (1990-2000) and Chairman (from 1998) of BBC Central Appeals Advisory Committee; Non-executive Director of South Kent NHS Hospitals Trust (1993-1996); Independent Assessor for public appointments to Department for Culture, Media and Sport; a Trustee and then Chairman of BBC Children in Need (1998-2008); External Advisor to BBC Corporate Social Responsibility Board (2005-2008)

Notes to Editors
1. The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) became an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB) on 1st February 2009, changing from an advisory NDPB. The SDC is registered with Companies House as a Company Limited by Guarantee and is wholly owned by Government. The SDC is sponsored by Defra.  The Chair is supported by 17 Commissioners, each with expertise in a particular field.

2. In 2005, the UK Government's Sustainable Development Strategy, Securing the Future, strengthened the SDC's role to act as an independent watchdog, scrutinising the UK Government's progress on implementing the strategy, and monitoring targets on the sustainable management of the Government estate and sustainable procurement.  The SDC performs a similar scrutiny and advisory role for the Scottish Government, and the Welsh Assembly Government works closely with the SDC in Wales which provides it with policy advice on sustainable development.  Further details of the work of the SDC can be found at www.sd-commission.org.uk

3. The appointment is for a three year period commencing on 27th July 2009.  It is a paid appointment on a daily rate of £400 for an average of 2/3 days per week.

4. The appointment has been made in accordance with guidance issued by the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA).  The appointment has been made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. In accordance with the Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public.  Mr Day has not declared any political activity and there were no other declarations to be made.  Any potential conflicts of interest with his other commitments will be managed through an agreed Code of Practice.

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