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Scottish Police Services Authority
27/10/2008
Chief Constable Stephen House was today announced as a new member of the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) board.
Mr House has a long and distinguished police career and served as Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police before being appointed Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police in 2007.
The SPSA provides a range of service to Scottish police forces, including training, Information and Communication technology and forensic services. It has 1,700 staff and an annual budget of £83.6 million.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said:
"I'm delighted that Chief Constable House will be joining the SPSA Board.
"It is important that SPSA continues to improve as a organisation, delivering high quality, efficient services to the Scottish police service and I'm sure his drive and experience will contribute considerably to that work."
Interim SPSA convener George Kay added:
"I congratulate Steve House on his appointment and look forward to warmly welcoming him to the SPSA Board. Chief Constable House brings with him a wealth of operational policing knowledge. He has also for the last year been SPSA's biggest customer.
"The complex mix of operational policing and support services that SPSA maintains and delivers will only benefit from the strategic input of someone with this track record."
The appointment to the SPSA board will be for three years from October 2008 and involve a time commitment of two-three days per month. It does not attract any remuneration. Mr House has no other public appointments.
The SPSA was launched on April 1, 2007 as a non-departmental public body. It has an independent convener (currently vacant) and a Board comprising representatives of Scotland's police forces, police boards and independent members.
This Ministerial public appointment was made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland's Code of Practice.
All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. In accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. Mr House has declared no political activity.