Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how Senior Responsible Owners are selected before appointment.

Both members of the Armed Forces and civil servants may be appointed as Senior Responsible Owners for Defence programmes on the Government Major Projects Portfolio.

For members of the Armed Forces, Senior Responsible Owners are selected through Appointment Boards. The Board will examine the job specification for the role and match an appropriate individual based on past experience and proven skills and qualifications.

Civil Servants are appointed through open and fair competition. Selection interviews will be undertaken by senior leaders and routinely include the MOD's Chief Project Officer or an accredited Project Professional. However, in some circumstances it may be appropriate, due to the business need, to move an individual with specific knowledge, skills and experience into a Senior Responsible Owner role.