Former Carnegie UK Trust CEO Martyn Evans appointed chair of the Scottish Police Authority

Former Carnegie UK Trust chief executive Martyn Evans has been appointed as the new chair of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA).

Evans will take up the role on 1 February, replacing David Crichton, who has been serving as interim chair since December 2019.

The previous chair, former Labour MSP Susan Deacon, resigned in December 2019 after two years in the role, describing the system of overseeing the police as “fundamentally flawed”.

Evans joined the SPA as a board member in June 2018 following a career involving executive and non-executive roles in both the voluntary and public sectors.

Evans was chief executive of the Carnegie UK Trust for 10 years from November 2009 to March 2019.

Before that he was director of the Scottish Consumer Council from 1998 to 2009, CEO of Citizens Advice Scotland for five years and director of Shelter from 1987 to 1992.

He was also a visiting professor of law at the University of Strathclyde from 1995 to 2001.

From 2017 to 2018 he conducted an independent review of legal aid for the Scottish Government.

Justice secretary Humza Yousaf said: “I am delighted to appoint Martyn Evans to the chair of the SPA. 

“This is one of the most important roles in Scottish public life, supporting and scrutinising Police Scotland, and Martyn will bring his considerable expertise to ensure that the SPA continues to undertake this important function. 

“Having served as a board member for the last two years he has a very good in-depth understanding of policing in Scotland and I am confident he will bring dynamic leadership as chair, maintaining good working relationships with the wide range of organisations with an interest in policing.

“This is a time of unprecedented change. COVID-19, the single greatest public health crisis of our lifetimes, has had a profound impact on our whole way of life.

“In this space, the role of policing has never been more important, as a key frontline service in the drive to keep the people of Scotland safe.

“I am also hugely grateful to David Crichton, the outgoing interim chair, for his continued dedication and progress in delivering positive changes over this past year, leading the SPA in the face of the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Evans said: "I am looking forward to working with colleagues within the authority and Police Scotland to build on what has already been achieved and to help address the undoubted challenges and opportunities ahead.

“Policing is a vital public service and all police services across the UK face ever changing demands in a rapidly changing world.

“The authority will support, promote and review the work of Police Scotland and make its contribution to further improve public confidence and understanding of the effectiveness and efficiency of the second largest police organisation in the UK.”