Public appointment: Members appointed to the Board of the Scottish Police Authority

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs today announced the appointments of Chris Creegan, Pauline Howie and Angela Leitch as Members of the Board of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA).

Welcoming the three new members, SPA chair Martyn Evans said:

“I am delighted to be welcoming Chris, Pauline and Angela to the Authority in June. They each bring a wealth of skills and experience which will significantly strengthen the Board.”

Members

Chris Creegan was Vice Chair of Police Scotland Independent Review Group on Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights from 2021 to 2024, recently stepping down from that role.  Chris has previously been Chief Executive of the Scottish Commission for Learning Disability from 2013 to 2019 and Chair of the Scottish Association for Mental Health from 2015 to 2022. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufacturing and Commerce FRSA and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Pauline Howie worked in the NHS and Scottish Government for over 30 years, 27 of those at Board level as either Finance Director or Chief Executive.  She was appointed as Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service in 2009 and retired from that position in 2023. She is passionate about high quality public services and has worked collaboratively to transform service delivery, improve outcomes and peoples' experience, adopting innovative practice and technology and investing in workforce and cultural development. She was awarded an OBE in 2025, a CBE in 2024 and the Institute of Directors Scotland and UK Public Services Director of the Year Awards 2019.  She is a Trustee of Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia and acts as a Specialist Advisor with the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE).

Angela Leitch CBE has worked at a senior level in local authorities for over two decades and has a thorough understanding of the context within which councils and their partners continue to operate. After eight years as Chief Executive of East Lothian Council, she was appointed as Chief Executive to the newly formed Public Health Scotland in November 2019, which gave her a deeper insight and experience of working at a national level in Scotland. Angela stepped down from this role in March 2023. Recently she was Convenor of the Scottish Local Authority Remuneration Committee which reported to Ministers in February 2024. In addition, Angela is a member of the Accounts Commission for Scotland, a trustee on the Board of the Cyrenians and Chair of Youthlink Scotland.

Appointment

These appointments will be for 4 years and will run from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2028.

These appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

These appointments are part-time and attracts a remuneration of £317.92 per day for a time commitment of 6 days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Chris Creegan is a non-executive member of the Executive Advisory Body at Social Security Scotland for which he receives remuneration of £239 per day, for a time commitment of 2 days per month.

Angela Leitch CBE is a non-executive member of the Accounts Commission for which she receives remuneration of £755.38 per month, for a time commitment of 2.5 days per month.

Pauline Howie does not hold any other public appointments.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.  

Chris Creegan, Pauline Howie and Angela Leitich have had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Scottish Police Authority is independent of both the Scottish Government and policing.  It is the primary governance body for policing in Scotland, and was established as a public body on 1 April 2013 by the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012.  It was set up to hold the Chief Constable to account: promote, support and oversee improvement in policing.  It is responsible for the management and delivery of Forensic Services in Scotland and Independent Custody Visiting Scotland.