GMPP SRO appointment letter

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Details

The terms of appointment for senior responsible owners should be set out in an appointment letter and this must be done for appointments to projects and programmes in the government major projects portfolio.

This template has been designed to be used for all appointments of senior responsible owners for projects and programmes in the government major projects portfolio which must be countersigned by the Government Head of Function for Project Delivery or the Government Head of Profession for Project Delivery.

Project Delivery Advisors from the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) can support departments throughout this process, including advising on when the DMP or GMPP template should be used.

This template must not be used for:

• any SRO appointments for DMP programmes or projects
• any SRO appointments for OMP and any other programmes or projects
• portfolio‑level appointments, as portfolios are not directed or managed by an SRO

Appointment letters should cover:

• line of accountability from the senior responsible owner, including the relationship to any governance or sponsoring bodies
• objectives and performance criteria for the senior responsible owner in the delivery of the project
• the point at which accountability starts, the time commitment and tenure of the senior responsible owner
• any succession planning details if it is known at appointment that the tenure will not be for the whole life of the project
• decision powers and any limits on the authority of the senior responsible owner or tolerances that have to be observed
• responsibilities around building effective governance and assurance arrangements and any departmental or organisational governance and assurance arrangements the senior responsible owner must observe
• reporting and transparency requirements
• key interfaces and relationships, particularly with the business owner of the delivered project
• any expected development or other requirements of the senior responsible owner

The appointment letter provides the opportunity for the senior responsible owner to consider the basis on which the project has been, or is being established, and to raise any concerns with the accounting officer, before signing the letter to show they accept these as terms of their appointment.

Please refer to Government Project Delivery Policy Note 01/26 for more information about the appointment of Senior Responsible Owners.

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Product Information

Delivery vehicle Appraisal, Definition, Delivery, Feasibility, Operation, Programme, Project

Practice Governance, Roles & Accountabilities

Sector Digital and data, Government Transformation and Service Delivery, Infrastructure and Construction, Military Capability

Product type Tools, templates and techniques

Updates

1 April 2026

Updated to version 6.0. Main changes reflect updates to government policy and the reforms related to the GMPP.

21 September 2025

Updated to version 5.0. Main changes reflect updates to government policy, such as requirements on evaluation, and to remove references to the Infrastructure and Projects Authority.

21 January 2025

Updated to version 4.0 which includes updated references to latest guidance and policy.

1 July 2021

Version 3.0 added.