Audit Committee Non-executive Members
Sir Jon Shortridge, Peter Freedman, Mei Sim Lai and Helen Walley are non-executive members of the Audit Committee
Sir Jon Shortridge (Chair)
Sir Jon is an experienced public servant and leader. He is Chair of Community Service Volunteers, a non-executive Director of the UK Statistics Authority and Chair of the Audit Panel of Cardiff County Council. Most recently, he was interim Permanent Secretary at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills where he led the merger with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. Prior to this he was Permanent Secretary in Wales between 1999 and 2008.
The Audit Committee Chair's appointment, which was made following an open recruitment process, is for a three year term which may be renewed for a single further term. Sir Jon took up the post on 1 April 2010 and his term was renewed for a further three years on 1 April 2013.
Peter Freedman
Peter Freedman has over 25 years experience working with the world’s leading companies in the consumer goods, retail and healthcare industries, on a wide range of strategy, organisation and operational issues. He led McKinsey’s Europe, Middle East and Africa consumer goods practice for over 10 years. He is a non-executive director of the Whittington Health NHS Trust.
Peter was appointed from September 2012 following open competition.
Mei Sim Lai
Mei Sim Lai is a qualified accountant and an experienced auditor who runs her own management consultancy. She has many years’ experience in a range of non-executive positions including St Mary’s NHS Trust Paddington, and the Prime Minister’s Review Body on Senior Salaries.
Mei Sim was appointed on 1 April 2011 for a three year term.
Helen Walley
Helen Walley trained as a nurse and has had a long career in the NHS in both primary care and hospitals. She was Chief Executive at the Mayday Hospital for three years and before that she ran Wandsworth PCT. She now works as a consultant and is Chair of the Governors at Croydon College.
Helen was appointed from September 2012 following open competition.
Summary of Audit Committee Members’ declared potential conflicts
Sir Jon Shortridge (Chair)
Audit Committee Chair of the Office for National Statistics
Peter Freedman
Mr Freedman is a Non-Executive Director of Whittington Health NHS Trust. His sister is a lawyer at the Medical Defence Union.
Helen Walley
Ms Walley is a Management Consultant for Bolt Partners who undertake NHS consultancy, her main role is advising in relation to Strategy and Financial issues.
