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The Cabinet Secretary for Justice recently announced the appointment of Andrew Flanagan as Chair of the Scottish Police Authority.

The SPA plays a pivotal role in our new policing arrangements, challenging and supporting Police Scotland to ensure the delivery of effective and efficient policing. As well as its crucial oversight role, the SPA is accountable for policing’s budget of more than £1 billion and for driving continuous improvement in policing for the people of Scotland.

Mr Flanagan said:

“The Scottish Police Authority has a unique role at the heart of policing and I’m delighted to be taking on such a demanding and exciting role.

“While I recognise the challenges we face, I believe there is much to build on in Scottish policing – not least the excellent work undertaken every day by the thousands of dedicated officers and staff. I look forward to working with them – and everyone with an interest in this crucially important public service – to ensure policing delivers for local communities.”

Cabinet Secretary for Justice Michael Matheson said:

“I am delighted to appoint Mr Flanagan to this important role. Policing has never been under greater scrutiny – and, with a wealth of experience in the public and private sector, I am confident he will prove to be an excellent Chair for the SPA.

“As we embark on this next phase of police reform, I look forward to working with Mr Flanagan as we work towards a genuinely integrated single service and all the benefits that will bring.

“Recent incidents have knocked confidence in policing and it is vital we address that. I have therefore asked him to ensure the community focus is at the heart of everything the SPA and Police Scotland do, and to undertake a rapid review of governance. It will ensure that policing commands its resources effectively to meet community needs, and commands the confidence of communities in how it carried out those duties.

“This work will shape policing and lay the foundations for the years ahead, against a backdrop of continuing financial pressures.

“I would also like to thank his predecessor, Vic Emery, for his diligence and dedication during the first phase of reform, particularly helping overseeing the transition to our new policing arrangements.”

Andrew Flanagan is a Civil Service Commissioner and is Chair of the audit and Risk Committee of the NHS Business Services Authority. He also holds a number of other non-executive appointments including with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and CIPFA Business Services Ltd. Until March, 2013, he was Chief Executive of the NSPCC, the leading UK children’s charity. Previously, Andrew was Chief Executive of SMG plc, one of the UK's leading media companies, with interests spanning television, radio and print. A Chartered Accountant, Andrew has also held a number of senior finance roles in the media, IT and telecommunications sectors.

Andrew does not hold any other appointments made by Scottish Ministers.

This appointment is for four years and will run from 7 September 2015 to 6 September 2019 (inclusive).

This appointment is part time and attracts a fee of £450 per day, with a time commitment of up to 12 days per month until September 2016, after which the time commitment will be up to 10 days per month.

This appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years – if there is any to be declared – to be made public. The appointee has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.

The SPA was established under the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 to maintain policing, promote policing principles and the continuous improvement of policing, and to hold the Chief Constable to account. The Act allows for up to 15 members to be appointed, of which one is the Chair.