Boardization and Corporate Governance in the UK as a Response to Depoliticization and Failing Accountability

Abstract

Administrative leadership in UK central government has been reformed through the creation of boards in all departments and agencies. This `boardization' is modelled on principles of private sector corporate governance and is a civil service designed response to the administrative implications of depoliticization. It raises issues of political accountability and adaptation of private sector models to the public sector and therefore poses a challenge to the UK Whitehall model. Boardization has been variously implemented across accounting units of central government involving the negotiation of a variety of public sector bargains. It highlights a de-synchronization of administrative and political reforms but provides a potential for boards to become alternative locations for governance and accountability. The article registers concerns about the suitability of reform based on private sector corporate governance and identifies new research agendas.