Local Audit Office – Chair

Organisation Local Audit Office

Sponsor department Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

Location Various

Sectors Finance and Audit

Skills Audit and Risk, Regulation

Time commitment 3 day(s) per week

Remuneration £765 per day

Length of term 5 years

Application deadline 5pm on 18 February 2026

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding individual as the new Chair for the Local Audit Office. Local public bodies are at the heart of our communities. They support democracy and help deliver vital public services. The local audit system covers a wide range of public sector bodies (including local authorities, police, fire and NHS bodies). An effective and efficient external audit system is vital to ensure transparency and accountability for billions of pounds of public funds. 

This government is driving a major overhaul of the local audit system by leading one of the most ambitious and wide-reaching reform programmes in over a decade. These efforts mark a decisive shift toward modernising a broken system that has struggled with complexity, fragmentation and capacity challenges. The scale of the problem has been epitomised by the backlog of outstanding unaudited accounts, which led to a paralysis of local audit prior to this

government’s decision action to tackle it. The problems in local government financial reporting and the backlog in unaudited accounts has regrettably led to the disclaimer on the Whole of Government Accounts for both 2022/23 and 2023/24, and a general loss of public accountability and trust in the system. 

As part of our overhaul of the local audit system, we are launching the new Local Audit Office (LAO). The LAO will play a critical role in ensuring the effective delivery of reforms, strengthening accountability, securing better value for money for taxpayers, and supporting long-term economic growth. The LAO will reduce the complexity of the current arrangements; improve coordination across the system; and improve capacity and capability. The vision for the LAO is to oversee and coordinate the auditing of local public bodies to promote effective, value for money and timely local audit, and to put the system back onto a secure and reliable footing. The LAO will be pivotal to rebuilding transparency, accountability and public trust. It will restore a crucial part of the early warning system for authorities facing potential failure and challenge. The LAO’s development will be an iterative process, and its functions will develop over time to fulfil its long-term vision.

We are looking for a charismatic and influential leader with strong strategic leadership experience to oversee the establishment of the LAO. You will lead on the establishment and strategic development of the organisation following launch, while ensuring the broader programme of audit reform for local bodies (including rebuilding assurance following the backlog) is delivered successfully to restore accountability, transparency, and public trust. You will provide visible, public facing leadership for the LAO, and play a crucial role in the development and growth of the LAO through support, challenge and advice on both the immediate delivery milestones and the strategic and longer-term direction of the organisation. You will influence a wide range of government and sector stakeholders, build consensus and navigate complex challenges. Through collaborative leadership across organisational boundaries, you will play a key role in driving forward these critical reforms.

You will be at the heart of a bold and ambitious mission to transform the local audit system. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact for communities and taxpayers across the country. If you believe you have the experience and skills we are seeking, I would like to encourage you to consider applying to help the government tackle the challenges and rebuild the system. Full details of the role, responsibilities and commitments are set out in this document, and I hope you will decide to apply. We want to receive applications from a wide range of individuals; we welcome candidates from traditionally under-represented groups, including those from an ethnic minority background. 

If you have further questions about any aspect of the role or the application process, please contact PublicAppointments@communities.gov.uk.

Appointment description

Key Responsibilities  

Leadership and Governance

· As Chair you will operate in a governance and strategic capacity providing independent advice and leadership to the Local Audit Office. The Controller of Local Audit and the Local Audit Office’s executive management will operate in an executive and operational capacity. As Chair you will ensure the board is effective and aligned with the Local Audit Office’s long-term goals, whereas the Controller will ensure these goals are delivered and execute the strategy set by the board. The Controller will be accountable to the Chair/board for performance and delivery.

· Provide visible, authoritative public facing leadership, support, constructive challenge and advice on the establishment of the Local Audit Office, delivery milestones, and strategic long-term direction of the organisation.

· Promote the highest standards of governance (consistent with statutory requirements and best practice) to ensure the Local Audit Office can act with independence, credibility and objectivity in a complex environment demonstrating complete integrity and commitment to transparency in decision making and operations.

· Cultivate a positive organisational culture and ethos, bringing together a diversity of working cultures and staff from a range of backgrounds and experience, including people transferring from existing system partners, and consciously shape values, beliefs, and behaviours to define the Local Audit Office’s environment. Foster a culture of engagement, inclusivity, and growth, to create a thriving workplace to attract and retain talent, boost productivity, and drive success. 

Operational Delivery

· Support the recruitment of the Controller of Local Audit whilst working with Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to establish the Local Audit Office’s key functions.

· Lead the Local Audit Office Board in establishing and maintaining the operational independence of the Local Audit Office and build collective impact, ensuring the Local Audit Office operates within and delivers the scope of its statutory remit.

· Hold the Controller of Local Audit and executive team accountable and oversee their performance – including through leadership of non-executive members. You will ensure effective management of the Local Audit Office and delivery of its strategy, vision and priorities, while also maintaining the confidence of Ministers that the Local Audit Office is delivering its statutory functions effectively and efficiently, and in line with overarching government policy.

· Provide oversight of the Local Audit Office’s use of resources, including how public funds are spent.

· Support the recruitment of externally facing leadership roles which will provide expert support, guidance, and external views on the Local Audit Office. This includes recruiting non-executive directors, diversity of Board members, addressing skills gaps, focus of the Board and related sub-committees.

· You will oversee timely performance reporting of the Local Audit Office’s operations and functions to the Secretary of State/Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and escalate any concerns to ensure the maintenance of the health of the local audit system.

Strategy and Vision

· Provide independent support and constructive challenge to the Controller regarding the long-term development of the Local Audit Office as an independent body, its functions, delivery, impact and strategy, to ensure it evolves in line with its statutory objectives and the government’s overarching policy priorities.

· Establish a strong working relationship with the Controller, providing support and advice as appropriate, and ensuring that the Local Audit Office functions effectively to cultivate an environment in which the Controller can discharge their responsibilities effectively. You will need to have a good understanding of the Controller’s responsibilities, in addition to the Controller’s responsibilities as Accounting Officer for the Local Audit Office.

Engagement

· Act as an advocate to champion the profile of local audit across the broader corporate audit and regulatory landscape, both in the UK and internationally. As ambassador for the Local Audit Office, you will act as a figurehead and spokesperson for the organisation, ensuring it is outwardly focused, credible and aligned with its service users across local bodies, central government, the wider local audit sector, and the public.

· Support engagement focused activities, including leading a comprehensive programme of engagement with the local audit system and sector, cross-government stakeholders, and members of the public. You will use your credibility, experience and public profile to build consensus around the role of the Local Audit Office across stakeholders, including consideration of what is working well and what needs to change.

· This will be a demanding role in a complex system, working across boundaries and navigating difficult challenges. You will need to influence and bring key decision makers with you, whilst presenting an inspiring and motivating vision for the future of the local audit system. You will be responsible for managing a broad range of stakeholder interests, fostering trust and building consensus, particularly with local audit bodies whose confidence in the Local Audit Office will be critical to its success. The role requires the ability to constructively challenge and hold stakeholders to account, navigate conflicts of interest, and lead resolution efforts that support reform and strengthen the local audit system.

Person specification

Essential criteria

· Local Audit - A strong interest in advancing the importance of local audit in underpinning public sector accountability, with an excellent understanding of public finances, and the role of public audit.

· Political astuteness and wider public sector insight – Proven experience of strategic leadership within complex and public-facing organisations, with strong political awareness and understanding of both local and national government, Parliament, and the wider public sector. Familiarity with public sector structures including governance, and accountability frameworks, and operational environments. Able to demonstrate public service values such as transparency and efficiency.

· Leadership - Strong leadership skills, with experience of operating at board level within large and/or complex organisations in the public or private sector; this could include arm’s-length bodies in the public sector or third sectors, either in the UK or overseas, or both. Proven record of exercising strong intellect, sound judgement and diplomacy. A supportive team player, able to build consensus, navigate complexity and ambiguity, and work effectively with UK Government colleagues.

· Organisational development -Track record of building up an organisation, operational capability and culture, bringing together a diverse staff from a range of backgrounds and organisations to develop an inclusive workplace which can attract and retain talent and create a strong reputation.

· Communication skills - Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with a proven ability to build trust and rapport across diverse audiences. Ability to command credibility and influence at senior levels, unite key stakeholders across the local audit system to drive collaboration and shared solutions to difficult challenges, working across institutional divides to deliver meaningful reform within the local audit system.

Desirable criteria

· Experience of setting up and/or working with/within arm’s-length bodies.

· Leadership experience in one or more of local audit bodies, audit suppliers or regulatory bodies in the system or wider UK local public audit bodies would be an advantage.

· A strong understanding of the policy and regulatory framework for local financial reporting and local audit.

· Experience of working in, transforming and/or overseeing a highly complex regulatory system with notable achievements in tackling difficult problems and holding the executive team to account on delivering sustainable long-term reforms that are in the public interest.

· Understanding of business market management, contract management and commercial procurement.

· Experience and knowledge of managing public money.

How to apply: Appointment details – Local Audit Office - Chair – Apply for a public appointment – GOV.UK