Governance and Accountability

The Health Protection Agency is committed to the highest standards of corporate governance and complies with the best practice provisions of the 'Code of Good Practice on Corporate Governance in Central Government Departments' issued by HM Treasury. The Board is led by the Chairman, and the executive management of the Agency is led by the Chief Executive. The roles of Chairman and Chief Executive are separate and clearly defined within the division of responsibilities set out in the Health Protection Agency Act 2004.

Role of the Board

The role of the Board is to determine the Agency's longterm direction, business objectives and strategy; to ensure that it has adequate resources to meet its objectives and to ensure that it operates an effective risk management system; to monitor its performance and ensure that it acts ethically and meets its responsibilities to stakeholders.

Responsibility for delivering the Agency's objectives and running the business on a day-to-day basis lies with the Chief Executive and the Executive Group. The Board has delegated some of its governance activities to standing Board Committees and Sub-Committees with clearly defined terms of reference set by the Board. The Standing Committees are: the Audit Committee, the Finance Committee, the Human Resources Committee and the Remuneration and Terms of Service Committee. The Sub-Committees oversee: Life Sciences, Local and Regional Services, and Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards.

The Board met on 10 occasions in 2006/07. Minutes and papers of public meetings are published on the Health Protection Agency website at www.hpa.org.uk/board. Non-executive directors meet formally without their executive colleagues twice a year.

Board Membership

During the financial year under review the membership of the Board comprised; 13 non-executive members (including the Chairman), five Board advisers, the Chief Executive, the Director of Finance and Resources, the Director of the Centre for Infections and the Director of the Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards. The non-executive members of the Board are drawn from diverse backgrounds, bringing a broad range of views and experiences to Board deliberations.

Board Evaluation

During 2005/06, the Board conducted an evaluation of its performance and that of its committees, including a review of their remit, constitution and operating procedures. The changes arising from this review were implemented in this financial year and have led to improved effectiveness of the Board and the Sub-Committees overseeing key operational areas. 

Board Members' Induction and Development

On appointment, members are provided with written terms of appointment including details of how their performance will be appraised. Members also receive a full induction programme comprising; briefings by senior management; a briefing from the Board Secretary on the Board's responsibilities and procedures, and visits to Health Protection Agency Centres and Divisions.

The Board regularly reviews the information it needs to fulfil its responsibilities, and members update their knowledge and develop their understanding of the Agency through site visits, in-depth presentations on topical issues and meetings with key stakeholders. Visits and presentations also give non-executive members the chance to meet staff below Board level.

The Board may, if it wishes, take independent professional advice and all non-executives have access to the advice and services of the Board Secretary. Board Appointments Non-executive Board members are appointed through a rigorous process of open competition against an agreed specification of the roles and capabilities required.

Non-executives are eligible to be considered for reappointment at the end of their term of office, normally every four years.

Board members are required to notify and register with the Board Secretary any issues on which they might have a conflict of interest. Declarations of interest are invited at every Board Meeting and the Board as a whole considers how it should discuss the matter(s) on which the member may have a conflict.

Biographies of the persons who served on the Board during the financial year 2006/07 are available on our website: board members