WIREDGOV

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) today announced the appointment of Claire Bassett as Deputy Director General Operations, a crucial role leading a team of around 700 people investigating the most serious and sensitive complaints and allegations about police forces in England and Wales.

Claire will leave her current role as Chief Executive (Designate) of the Shadow Trade Remedies Authority and Director of the Trade Remedies Investigations Directorate within the Department for International Trade.

Before that, Claire was Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission, the UK’s independent elections watchdog and regulator of party and election finance. During her time at the Commission it delivered the EU referendum and oversaw multiple elections, including a UK Parliamentary General Election and carried out a number of high-profile investigations into campaign spending.

Previously, Claire was Chief Executive of two other government arm’s length bodies; the Parole Board for England and Wales and the Criminal Cases Review Commission which investigates potential miscarriages of justice. 

Earlier in her career, Claire was a Director of Nacro – the crime reduction charity, Chief Executive of Connexions Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and held various roles at the Legal Services Commission. She began her career as a management trainee in the construction industry. 

Claire is also a trustee and vice chair of the Internet Watch Foundation which works to make the internet a safer place by searching for and removing child sexual abuse images online.

IOPC Director General Michael Lockwood said:

“Claire’s wide-ranging experience across investigation and management roles in the government and non-government sectors will be a great asset in leading our ongoing reforms to transform the police complaints system.

“I have no doubt her track record and networks will prove instrumental in strengthening our work with police forces and stakeholders across England and Wales and I look forward to working with her.”

Claire will take up her new post at the IOPC in September 2020.