Martyn Evans to chair Scottish Police Authority

Martyn Evans has been appointed as chair of the Scottish Police Authority board, with effect from 1 February 2021.

He replaces David Crichton who has been serving as interim chair since December 2019, following the resignation of Susan Deacon.

Mr Evans joined the SPA as a board member in June 2018. He has wide-ranging executive and non-executive experience in the voluntary and public sectors. He was chief executive of the Carnegie UK Trust for 10 years from November 2009, director of the Scottish Consumer Council from 1998 to 2009. Before that he spent five years each at the helm of Citizens Advice Scotland and Shelter Scotland.

More recently he conducted the independent review of legal aid in Scotland, which reported in 2018.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf commented: "I am delighted to appoint Martyn Evans to the chair of the SPA. This is one of the most important roles in Scottish public life, supporting and scrutinising Police Scotland, and Martyn will bring his considerable expertise to ensure that the SPA continues to undertake this important function. Having served as a board member for the last two years he has a very good in-depth understanding of policing in Scotland and I am confident he will bring dynamic leadership as chair, maintaining good working relationships with the wide range of organisations with an interest in policing.

"This is a time of unprecedented change. COVID-19, the single greatest public health crisis of our lifetimes, has had a profound impact on our whole way of life. In this space, the role of policing has never been more important, as a key frontline service in the drive to keep the people of Scotland safe."