The Client

Applicants to the House of Lords

It is always a privilege to work with clients applying to join the House of Lords. While the reputation of the Lords has risked being tarnished by the friends and allies appointed by some Prime Ministers with controversial Resignation Honours Lists, the House, in fact, does phenomenal work – thanks in huge part to its crossbench members.

Who are Crossbenchers?

Crossbenchers are independent, non-party political peers. They are not appointed by the Conservatives, Labour or the LibDems but instead are drawn from candidates with current experience of British life at the highest level. They include:

  • Top academics
  • Business people
  • Charity heads
  • Scientists
  • Leaders from the arts.

Crossbenchers are chosen by the House of Lords Appointments Commission, which is always looking for new peers who can use their experience and expertise to improve British society and strengthen the economy for the decades to come. Crossbenchers scrutinise legislation to make laws better, carry out investigations into matters of national importance and hold the government to account.

The Challenge

Being a member of the House of Lords is obviously a hugely prestigious appointment but crucially it is a job of work. Members are expected to make a substantial and effective contribution to the House while continuing their professional lives part time.

I have been working with clients who come from a variety of backgrounds but who all have two things in common: first, they have impressive achievements in their specialist fields; second, they have the skills and qualities to contribute significantly to the wide range of subjects that come before the House. The challenge is to showcase every client at their very best.

The Solution

The answer is to create unique applications consisting of a bespoke CV tailored to the requirements of the House of Lords, as well as an application form outlining the candidate’s motivation for joining the House, their track record of high-level achievement, and how they will use their skills and expertise to further the work of the Lords.

I put together compelling applications for my clients through:
● In-depth interviews
● Research around their personal achievements and the fields in which they excel
● Detailed study of the functions of the Lords and the type of people the Appointments Commission is seeking.

This takes considerable thought, a strategic approach and the ability to hone large quantities of information into succinct arguments.

The Result

It is an absolute pleasure to work with high achievers who are now seeking a new path in public service where they can share their expertise for the good of the country.

It’s so rewarding to see such worthy candidates put forward for the House of Lords. Importantly, they counterbalance the sometimes dubious political appointees who can too often undermine the reputation of the House and all its good work.

 

An Honour vs. a Peerage

I work with clients on their House of Lords applications as a consultant with Honours experts Awards Intelligence, who are the global specialists in this field.

I’m often asked what the difference is between an Honour such as a knighthood or an OBE and joining the House of Lords as a peer.

  • An Honour is recognition of how someone has gone above and beyond in their business sector or philanthropic role to make Britain a better place. It is backward looking, rewarding them for what they have done.
  • Becoming a Member of the House of Lords, on the other hand, is forward looking. It is about convincing the Commission of how they can use their experience and abilities to help the nation in the years ahead.