PRESS RELEASE : Low Pay Commission announces new Chair and Commissioners [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 30 January 2024.

Baroness Philippa Stroud has today (Tuesday 30 January 2024) been announced as the Chair of the Low Pay Commission (LPC). She replaces Bryan Sanderson, who has been Chair of the LPC since 2019.

Nigel Cotgrove and Andrew Goodacre have also been announced as Commissioners.

The LPC is an independent body that advises the government about the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage.

Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

Baroness Philippa Stroud is a fantastic appointment to this role. Her extensive leadership background and specialised experience in social justice will ensure the LPC continues its vital work on pay for our lowest paid workers.

I’m grateful to Bryan Sanderson for all his hard work in his time as Chair and wish him well for the future.

I’d also like to welcome Nigel Cotgrove and Andrew Goodacre in their roles as Commissioners.

Biographies

Baroness Philippa Stroud biography

Baroness Philippa Stroud is a British think tanker and the co-founder of Forum. She is a Member of the House of Lords, CEO of the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship and Chair of the Social Metrics Commission. Prior to this, she was the CEO of the Legatum Institute and Co-Founder and Chief Executive of the Centre for Social Justice.

She was created a life peer on 1 October 2015 taking the title Baroness Stroud, of Fulham in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

Nigel Cotgrove biography

Nigel Cotgrove is a Trustee Director of the BT Pension Scheme and a member of the Prison Service Pay Review Body.

Nigel worked for the Communication Workers’ Union for 31 years. He served as a National Officer for over 20 years representing workers in the telecoms, ICT and financial services sectors. Prior to that, he worked as a CWU Research Officer.

Andrew Goodacre biography

BIRA (British Independent Retailers Association) CEO Andrew Goodacre has devoted his career to strengthening Britain’s high streets and the communities they support.

Since taking over BIRA’s leadership in 2018, Andrew has expanded membership by nearly a third, by ensuring the needs of independent retailers are heard by government decision makers.

Andrew represents BIRA on the Department of Business Retail Sector Council and serves as a member of the British Retail Consortium’s Policy Board and the Welsh Retail Council.

Prior to leading BIRA, Andrew spent many years in the hospitality industry, which helped to reinforce his belief of the importance of local high streets to the fabric of local communities and their contribution to the government’s levelling-up agenda.

Notes for editors

• The LPC Chair is remunerated £530.96 per day (3 days per month). This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Baroness Stroud has declared that she is a Conservative Member of the House of Lords.
• LPC Commissioners are remunerated £242.12 per day (16 days per annum). These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Both Commissioners have declared no significant political activity.