The Secretary of State and Rail Minister have approved the reappointment of Bill Matthews as the BTPA’s Scottish Member for a further three years from October 2019.
We thank Bill for all of his work and look forward to our continued work together in the future. You can find Bill’s biography on the Member section of our website.
Hugh Ind has been appointed the new Chief Executive of the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA), starting today (Monday 3 June 2019).
Hugh was previously Director General at the Cabinet Office where he was leading work on the Government’s apprenticeship strategy. Hugh has worked in the civil service for 27 years, in roles such as Director General of Immigration Enforcement (2016-18) and Strategic Director for the UK Asylum System (2008-12).
Hugh was responsible for the development and introduction of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and also spent time as Principal Private Secretary to Tessa Jowell at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (2001-4).
At the BTPA, Hugh will be responsible for leading the work to hold the British Transport Police to account, overseeing the contracts between Train Operating Companies and the BTPA and maintaining high-quality relationships with the Authority’s stakeholders.
Ron Barclay-Smith, Chair of the BTPA, said: “I am delighted that Hugh has joined the BTPA as Chief Executive. At a time when the rail industry is facing various challenges in the face of unprecedented change, Hugh’s experience will prove invaluable to the Authority and the Force as we look to provide an effective and efficient policing service in response to this change.
“Hugh has substantial experience of working alongside stakeholders to inform strategic objectives and he will help us to ensure that new initiatives are created with the best interests of passengers, rail staff and industry at heart.”
Hugh Ind said: “I look forward to joining the BTPA and working together with the force to achieve their objectives. The BTP is a very unique police force in the way it serves the rail industry and I look forward to the challenges of the new role.”
Ian Pigden-Bennett has been covering the Chief Executive role on an interim basis since October 2018.
Ron added: “I would like to thank Ian for all of his hard work over the last six months and wish him all the best for the future.”
Following our consultation earlier in the year, we are pleased to share with you the draft British Transport Police policing plans for 2019/20.
These will be expanded upon before their official publication in the next few months, but in the meantime you can view them here.
Four new members have been appointed to the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA).
Sir Craig Mackey, previously Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service is appointed alongside Andy Cooper, soon-to-retire as Managing Director of Cross Country Trains, former MP and parliamentary private secretary Graham Evans, and former member of the Civil Nuclear Police Authority Kenna Kintrea.
They officially joined the body that oversees the British Transport Police (BTP) on 20 May and will work with Chair Ron Barclay-Smith who took on the role in March last year.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “The BTPA prides itself on having the expertise and experience to guide British Transport Police performance and objectives, and the new board members will bolster these vital qualities.
“With passenger numbers at record levels, it is vital that we ensure an effective and efficient network police force continues to maintain exceptional safety standards, guided by a skilled and adept board.”
BTPA chair Ron Barclay-Smith said: “I am delighted to welcome our 4 new members – Graham, Craig, Andy and Kenna. They bring a wealth of experience from across policing, industry and the public sector and I look forward to their contributions towards the work of the authority.”
Chief Constable Paul Crowther OBE will stay at the British Transport Police until 2021, following a decision by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) to extend his contract.
The Department for Transport has this week approved the BTPA’s decision to extend the contract of Chief Constable Crowther until February 2021. Mr Crowther joined the BTP in 1980 and has been Chief Constable for five years.
Chair of the BTPA, Ron Barclay-Smith, said: “On behalf of the Authority, I am delighted to confirm the reappointment of Chief Constable Crowther, who has agreed to lead the British Transport Police for another two years.
“Under Paul’s tenure as Chief Constable, the British Transport Police has adapted to the needs of an ever-growing and evolving rail network, which has specialist policing requirements and poses a continuous stream of new challenges in the face of increasing passenger numbers and a growing, modernising network.
“I am grateful to Paul for his leadership over the last five years and look forward to working with him in the future.”
Chief Constable Paul Crowther said: “I am immensely proud to be the Chief Constable of British Transport Police and I am delighted that my appointment as Chief Constable has been extended until 2021.
“I look forward to leading the Force and its dedicated workforce through some considerable challenges which lie ahead, and deliver a modern policing service which protects the travelling public, rail infrastructure and the staff who work on it.”
Chief Constable Crowther has 38 years of service with the BTP and was awarded an OBE in 2014. Mr Crowther has a long history in crime and operations, and was the Incident Commander at several major train crash incidents. He was the Senior Investigating Officer at the 2001 Potters Bar crash and he led the BTP’s operational response to the London terrorist attacks in 2005.
Ends
Note for Editors:
The BTPA is responsible for appointing BTP Chief Officers and senior staff, setting the objectives for the Force and determining its budget. The BTPA is also responsible for contracts relating to the costs of rail policing, which are funded by the rail industry.
The Secretary of State for Transport approves the decision of the BTPA regarding Chief Officer appointments under section 21 (2) (a) of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003.