The Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists, set up in 2015, is an independent, statutory office. It is responsible for keeping and publishing the Register of Consultant Lobbyists.
The Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists operates as a corporation sole, meaning all its legal and statutory powers and duties are held by the individual serving as the Registrar.
Claire Bassett has been selected as the preferred candidate for the role of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists following a rigorous recruitment process conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.
The role, which is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, is subject to a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee. Pre-appointment scrutiny is an important part of the appointment process for some of the most significant public appointments made by Ministers. It is designed to provide an added level of scrutiny to the appointment process.
Pre-appointment hearings are held in public and allow a Select Committee to take evidence before a candidate is appointed. Ministers consider the Committee’s views before deciding whether to proceed with the appointment.
Claire Bassett’s biography
Claire Bassett is an experienced Non-Executive Director and former chief executive with a strong background in regulation, governance, and public confidence.
Currently Chair of The Property Ombudsman and the Serious Fraud Office, she has held senior roles at the Electoral Commission, Parole Board, and Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Claire specialises in organisational change, stakeholder engagement, and compliance, bringing expertise from sectors including law, finance, and public oversight to ensure transparency and integrity.
