Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Sir John Kingman is Group Chairman of Legal and General plc. He is also the first non-executive Chair of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), a UK government body established to oversee the strategic direction of science and innovation funding in the UK. He was previously Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, with particular responsibility for its economics ministry functions; for policy relating to business, financial services and infrastructure. Prior to that, he was Global Co-Head of the Financial Institutions Group at Rothschild. Sir John previously held a number of senior roles at the Treasury, and was very involved with the first phase of the response to the global financial crisis: he led the resolution process following the run on Northern Rock in 2007; he led negotiations with RBS, Lloyds and HBOS on their 37bn recapitalisation in 2008; and he was the first Chief Executive of UK Financial Investments (UKFI). He was also Director of the Enterprise & Growth Unit and Press Secretary to the Chancellor. Prior to that he spent two years as a Lex columnist for the Financial Times and worked in the Group Chief Executives office at BP. Sir John is a Trustee of the Royal Opera House and is a member of the Global Advisory Board of the Centre for Corporate Reputation, Oxford University. He is also a World Fellow of Yale University. From 2003-6 he was a main board Director of the European Investment Bank.
The role is not remunerated and this appointment has been made in accordance with the OCPA Code of Practice. 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. Sir John has declared no political activity.