ACOBA Closure: New Business Appointments Process Effective 13 October 2025
Summary
The UK Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) ceased operations on 13 October 2025. Its functions have been transferred to successor bodies: former ministers must now contact the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, while Crown servants at director general level and above should apply through their department's HR to the Civil Service Commission. Pending cases will be handled by the relevant successor body.
What changed
ACOBA has been closed effective 13 October 2025 and its functions transferred to two successor bodies. Former ministers seeking advice under the Business Appointment Rules must now apply to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards at the Cabinet Office. Crown servants at director general level (SCS3 and equivalent) and special advisers at PB4 level must route applications through their department's HR to the Civil Service Commission.
Former ministers and Crown servants transitioning to private sector roles should note the changed submission process for Business Appointment Rules applications. Cases not yet finalised under ACOBA will be contacted by the appropriate successor body. All enquiries should reference the new contact channels rather than ACOBA, which no longer operates.
What to do next
- Former ministers submit applications to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards
- Crown servants at director general level submit applications through their department to the Civil Service Commission
- Contact your department in the first instance if unsure which route applies
Archived snapshot
Apr 16, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
News story
ACOBA’s closure: the new process and contact details for applications under the Business Appointments Rules as of Monday 13 October 2025
ACOBA is no longer in operation. Applications for ministers should be sent to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards. Applications for Crown servants should be sent to the Civil service Commission. If your case is yet to be finalised, the successor body will be in touch.
From: Advisory Committee on Business Appointments Published 23 July 2025 Last updated 10 October 2025
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The government announced on 21 July 2025 that ACOBA will close and that its functions will be transferred as of 13 October 2025.
Arrangements following ACOBA’s closure
As of 13 October ACOBA is closed. Its functions have been transferred.
In order to receive advice under the government’s Business Appointment Rules, or for enquiries pertaining to the Rules, please follow the relevant instructions below:
- Former ministers should submit applications and enquiries to: the office of the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards at ind.adviser.BARS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
- Applications and enquiries from Crown servants at director general level (SCS3 and equivalent) and above, and special advisers at PB4 and equivalent should be submitted to their department’s HR in the first instance. Completed applications should be sent via the department to the Civil Service Commission at bars@csc.gov.uk
- If in doubt, contact your department in the first instance.
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- Twitter Published 23 July 2025 Last updated 10 October 2025 show all updates
- 10 October 2025
The closure of ACOBA
2.
28 August 2025
Updated to include interim arangments and successor bodies
3.
23 July 2025
First published.
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