Received: 26 April 2024

With regards to my two FOI requests with regards to Chris Elmitt and John Phelan can you please also answer the following under the freedom of Information act.

1. What is the personal and professional relationship between Chris and John? 
2. Was it disclosed at or before appointment that both parties are or have directly been involved in external companies together? 
3. Was it disclosed that two or more of these companies were closed as insolvent with unpaid debts to the HMIC? 
4. Was the National Board aware of this close relationship between both parties at the time of appointment of either party? 
5. What safeguards have been put in place given both parties have had or have close business and personal relationship with the financial director having responsibility for providing funds and or paying the overseer of Project Sunrise? 
6. Has this been declared as a conflict of interest? 

Responded: 15 May 2024

The PFEW is aware that Mr Elmitt and Mr Phelan previously worked together in a professional capacity. This was disclosed prior to their appointment to their respective roles (although was not disclosed as a conflict of interest). The National Board was made aware of this relationship. It was not disclosed that companies in which Mr Elmitt/Mr Phelan were previously involved were closed as insolvent with unpaid debts to HMRC. In terms of safeguards which are in place, regular information is provided by both Mr Elmitt and Mr Phelan to the CEO who is in turn held accountable by the National Board.