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Release (197/08) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 18
November 2008
The Identity and
Passport Service (IPS) today announced the appointment of an
additional board member as part of a programme to increase
capability in the run up to the start of the National Identity Scheme.
Vince Gaskell, currently chief executive of the Criminal Records
Bureau, will join IPS in the New Year as executive director for
New Service Implementation. He will take overall responsibility
for the business implementation of key identity card initiatives.
These include:
* identity cards for airside workers when they go-live from
autumn 2009 and, subsequently, others working in sensitive roles
and locations;
* the plan to allow the public to pre-register
their interest in the identity card programme, with a small number
of citizens being issued cards in late 2009; and
* the
incremental roll-out of identity cards for young people from 2010.
Identity and Passport Service chief executive, James Hall, said:
"We are now entering an exciting phase in delivering the
National Identity Scheme with the first cards for foreign
nationals being implemented this month.
"Vince's leadership of the CRB has been characterised
by a focus on building strong relationships with customer
organisations across the public and private sector. We are very
pleased to be able to use that experience as IPS builds its
relationships with the many public and private organisations which
will use passports and identity cards as a core part of their
personal security and identity assurance regimes."
Vince
Gaskell said:
"Joining the IPS to play a role in delivering the National
Identity Scheme brings a unique opportunity and one which I am
very much looking forward to.
"I have spent five hugely enjoyable and successful years at
the Criminal Records Bureau overseeing a significant period of
growth for the organisation. But now is the time for me to move on
and face a new challenge with the IPS."
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The first stage of the National Identity Scheme goes live on
25 November with the first identity cards for non-EEA foreign
nationals. From autumn 2009 airside workers in Manchester and
London City airports will be the first UK and EEA citizens to
receive identity cards. IPS will begin the incremental roll-out of
voluntary identity cards to young people in 2010 and starting in
2011/12 general roll-out will begin.
2. The National Identity Scheme Delivery plan was published in
March 2008 - it can be found at http://www.ips.gsi.gov.uk/identity
3. Vince Gaskell joined the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) as
chief executive in 2003 after working as Change Director at the
Child Support Agency and the Department for Work and Pensions.
During his time at the CRB he oversaw:
* the prevention of more than over 80,000 unsuitable people from
gaining access to children or the vulnerable, as a direct result
of CRB checks;
* an increase in customer satisfaction each
year from 50% back in 2002 to over 90% in 2007; and
* CRB
achieving self-funding status with its fees frozen for the past
two years.
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