The Cabinet Office has appointed John Fallon, a former chief executive of education multinational Pearson, as its new lead non-executive board member.
The department currently has no non-execs listed on its website after seven of its NEDs had their appointments terminated before the end of their contract after Labour won power in July 2024.
Fallon has been appointed to the lead NED position for three years until April 2028. The Cabinet Office has also appointed Lisa Tremble, who is chief people, corporate affairs and sustainability officer at British Airways, as a non-executive board member for the same period.
Fallon’s current roles include professor of practice and senior adviser at Northeastern University, executive fellow at London Business School, and chair of the charity WarChild UK. He was chief exec at Pearson Plc. from 2013 to 2020. He began his career in 1988 as a researcher for John Prescott.
Cat Little, the Cabinet Office permanent secretary and civil service chief operating officer, said: “Lead non-executive board members provide vital scrutiny and challenge to departmental boards, guiding our work and helping us deliver for people across the country.
"John Fallon will bring a wealth of experience in systems and transformation leadership within complex organisations. I look forward to working with him to deliver the Cabinet Office’s priorities.”
The lead NED provides strategic oversight and leadership for the department’s team of non-executives. They support ministers and officials by providing expert advice and challenge on delivery and performance and maintain close working relationships with the Cabinet Office perm sec and the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to support the delivery of their priorities.
They also work with the department to ensure non-execs are assigned to work on issues where they will have the most impact and can best support the delivery of the department’s strategic priorities.