Solicitor among new Scottish Police Authority board members

Seven new board members of the troubled Scottish Police Authority were announced today by Justice Secretary Michael Matheson.

David Crichton, Gordon Dewar, Jane Ryder, Martyn Evans, Mary Pitcaithly, Michelle Miller and Tom Halpin bwill join the board in the course of this year.

Jane Ryder, a qualified solicitor, has extensive experience as a chief executive and board member, including with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, the Marine Management Organisation and the UK-wide Seafish Industry Authority. She is currently a board member of Revenue Scotland and chair of Historic Environment Scotland, both new organisations established in 2015.

Martyn Evans, chief executive of the Carnegie UK Trust, carried out the independent review of legal aid in Scotland which reported last month.

David Crichton is chair of NHS Health Scotland and a member of the Scotland Committee of the Equality & Human Rights Commission; Gordon Dewar is chief executive officer of Edinburgh Airport Ltd; Mary Pitcaithly is retiring after more than 30 years in local government, including 20 as chief executive; Michelle Miller has worked for local government in Scotland since 1985, mainly in children and criminal justice social work services, and retires as chief social work officer and head of safer and stronger communities for the City of Edinburgh Council at the end of June; Tom Halpin is chief executive at offenders' charity SACRO, prior to which he was Deputy Chief Constable of Lothian & Borders Police.

The appointments will be for four years. Tom Halpin will take up appointment on 28 March, David Crichton and Jane Ryder on 1 April and the other new members later in 2018. The appointments are part-time and attract a remuneration of £300 per day for a time commitment of five days per month.

Susan Deacon, reently appointed as SPA chair, commented: "A very large number of extremely able and committed people applied to join the board at this time and I would like to record my thanks to all those who took the time to apply.

"I am delighted to welcome these new members to the board. They are all highly accomplished in their fields and bring with them a range of senior experience in leadership, governance and strategic change, as well as a passion and commitment for policing and public service. I look forward to working with them as we take forward the development of policing in Scotland both now and in the future."