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Sponsor department
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Scotland Office
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Body
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Boundary Commission for Scotland
1 October 2024
SCOTTISH SECRETARY APPOINTS NEW MEMBER OF BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR SCOTLAND
- Gillian McGregor to take up position today (October 1st).
- Work involves ensuring Scotland’s Westminster constituencies are close to equal in voter number.
Respected former senior civil servant Gillian McGregor has been appointed to the Boundary Commission for Scotland.
She will replace Professor Ailsa Henderson, who has served her maximum term of almost 10 years, and begins her post today (Oct 1).
Alongside other members of the Commission, Ms McGregor will be involved in the body’s reviews of UK Parliament constituencies in Scotland - carried out every eight years - to ensure that each one has roughly the same number of voters.
Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray announced the appointment, following a recruitment process.
He said:
“It’s great news that Gillian has accepted the post as a member of the Boundary Commission for Scotland. She brings vast experience and invaluable specialist knowledge. She will be an important part of the team and add significant strength to the work of the Commission. I thank Professor Ailsa Henderson who will leave her post at the end of September after serving for almost 10 years.”
Ms McGregor has extensive experience of working with Ministers and politicians in both the UK and Scottish Governments on all aspects of policy. Previously Home Office Director for Immigration Enforcement in Scotland and Northern Ireland and Home Office Director of Immigration Operational Intelligence, she was awarded the CBE in 2016 for services to immigration management and counter terrorism.
Ms McGregor was Director of the Scotland Office from 2017-2020 before retiring from the Civil Service. She will serve on the Boundary Commission for Scotland for an initial period of eight years.
Notes to Editors:
- The Boundary Commission for Scotland is an advisory non-departmental public body funded by the Scotland Office. It is independent and non-political, constituted by the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986.
- The Commission is responsible for reviews of constituencies in Scotland for the Westminster Parliament.
- It is required by the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 (as amended) to review UK Parliament constituencies every eight years. The reviews ensure that each constituency has roughly the same number of electors.
For further information contact the Scotland Office on 07920 155186 / pressoffice@ukgovscotland.gov.uk.
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Sponsor department
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Ministry of Justice
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Body
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Independent Chairs of Mother and Baby Units
1 October 2024
Mother and Baby Units (MBUs) are units within the female prison estate which provide an opportunity for babies to remain with their mother - in a safe setting - whilst their mother serves her custodial sentence. They give the mother and child an opportunity to bond and maintain a secure relationship.
The Prison Rules provides that the Secretary of State may permit a woman to have her baby with her in prison and that everything necessary for the baby’s care may be provided there. There are currently six MBUs in England and Wales. The Policy Framework for Pregnancy, MBUs and Maternal Separation from Children up to the Age of Two in Women’s Prisons (2021) sets out the mandatory requirements that address the needs of perinatal women and mothers in prison and how prisons support them.
The Framework provides that recommendations (including admission recommendations) are made by a Board, and each Board must be chaired by an Independent Chair, appointed by the Secretary of State. Members of the Board are made up of a range of professional backgrounds and local authority officials that bring value to the MBU. The Board decides whether to admit any mother and her child to that Unit or extend their stay should the need arise.
Biographies
Esther Beresford
Esther has been Head of Service at Wakefield Council since June 2022. From 2018 - June 2022, she was a Service Manager at Wakefield Council. Ms Beresford has experience as a Social Worker Leader and working with vulnerable families and children.
Deborah Brayshaw
Deborah has held senior roles in care services supporting children and families, safeguarding and child and adult protection. She is a panel member of Redress Scotland; a scheme which offers redress payments to people abused in care as children in the past. She has also been the Chair of Fostering Panel, for The Adolescent and Children’s Trust (TACT).
Lisa Hackett
Lisa is a registered social worker, leader and educator with over 29 years’ experience of direct work with children and adults in the statutory, private, charitable and academic sectors. Since 2021, Ms Hackett has been chief social work director at Frontline; England’s largest social work charity.
Tom Ketteley
Tom most recently, was Deputy Solicitor to the Infected Blood Inquiry. Since 2023, he has been a Fee-Paid Judge of the First-Tier Tribunal. He holds a number of judicial and quasi-judicial roles, including: Legally Qualified Chair/Legally Qualified Person for police misconduct proceedings; Adjudicator for Companies House and; Independent Person at the City of London Corporation. OUTstanding, a professional network for LGBT+ people, have recognised him as an LGBT+ leader.
Claire Wiggins
Claire retired, in 2021, from her 35-year career in the Criminal Justice System. From 2017-2020, she was a Deputy Director for Women in Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service.
Laura Vincent
Laura has been, since 1997, a Lay Assessor, Fitness to Practise, at the General Medical Council. She is also an Independent Chair – All Age Continuing Care (AACC), for NHS England.
Glynis Williams
Glynis has over 30 years’ experience in social work including in leadership roles. Her experience includes chairing multi-agency panels, partnership working. She is now an Independent Safeguarding Consultant, an Independent Chair for a Fostering Agency and a DHR and LSCPR Author
These appointments are made, by the Secretary of State, under Rule 12(2) of the Prison Rules and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. These appointments have been made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments