News story: Bryan Sanderson appointed interim Chairman of the Low Pay Commission

Bryan Sanderson has today (17 February 2017) been announced as the interim Chairman of the Low Pay Commission (LPC).

Mr Sanderson, former BP Managing Director, replaces Sir David Norgrove, who served as chairman from May 2009 until the end of last year.

The independent LPC, made up of employers, trade unions and labour market experts, advises the government about National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates.

The advisory body submits a report to the government each October making recommendations on future minimum wage rates.

Business Minister Margot James said:

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Sir David for the valuable advice he provided to 3 different governments over the years.

His interim successor Bryan Sanderson will use his experience in the business world and the public sector to inform his recommendations to the government in this vitally important area.

Mr Sanderson said:

The Low Pay Commission has already made an important contribution to raising living standards for the poorest in our society.

There is more to do and I look forward to being part of the process. I’m convinced that we can help to make a much needed improvement to labour productivity as well as promoting a fairer distribution of wealth.

Biography

Mr Sanderson has more than 40 years’ experience in the energy, chemicals and financial sectors. He has been awarded a CBE, is an Emeritus Governor of the London School of Economics, has Honorary Degrees from the Universities of Sunderland and York and is an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Mr Sanderson joined BP in 1964 and rose to be a Managing Director from 1991 to 2000 and CEO of BP Chemicals. Mr Sanderson has held the position of Chairman at Sunderland Area Regeneration, Standard Chartered Bank, Northern Rock, the Learning and Skills Council and BUPA as well as non-executive director posts at Corus/British Steel, Six Continents and Argus Media.

Mr Sanderson is currently Chairman of the Florence Nightingale Foundation charity, a Trustee of the Economist and a Premier League representative of the financial fair play committee.

Low Pay Commission

  1. The Low Pay Commission is an independent body made up of employers, trade unions and experts, whose role is to advise the government on minimum wage rates.
  2. The LPC takes the interests of both workers and businesses into account when making rate recommendations to the government.
  3. The LPC has been asked to make recommendations for the National Living Wage towards a target of 60% of median earnings by 2020.
  4. Bryan Sanderson has been appointed on an interim basis for 1 year. This will allow sufficient time for a full competitive recruitment process to take place to appoint a permanent chairman from January 2018.

The members of the Low Pay Commission are:

  • Bryan Sanderson, Chairman
  • Prof. Sarah Brown, Professor of Economics at the University of Sheffield
  • Kay Carberry, TUC
  • Neil Carberry, Director of Employment and Skills, CBI
  • Clare Chapman, Non-Executive Director and Remuneration Committee Chair at Kingfisher PLC
  • Prof. Richard Dickens, Professor of Economics, Sussex University
  • Peter Donaldson, Managing Director, D5 Consulting Ltd
  • John Hannett, General Secretary, Usdaw
  • Brian Strutton, General Secretary, BALPA

The current minimum wage rates are:

  • National Living Wage (25 years and over) – £7.20 per hour
  • adult rate of National Minimum Wage (21 to 24-year-olds) – £6.95 per hour
  • 18 to 20-year-olds – £5.55 per hour
  • 16 to 17-year-olds – £4.00 per hour
  • apprentice rate – £3.40 per hour

Minimum wages rates are set to increase on 1 April to:

  • National Living Wage (25 years and over) – £7.50 per hour
  • adult rate of National Minimum Wage (21 to 24-year-olds) – £7.05 per hour
  • 20-year-olds – £5.60 per hours
  • 16 to 17-year-olds – £4.05 per hour
  • apprentice rate – £3.50 per hour