Policing boss seeks his eighth CEO since being elected two years ago
LEICESTERSHIRE’S police and crime commissioner is seeking what will be his eighth chief executive officer (CEO) since he was elected in May 2021.
Rupert Matthews has appointed six different people, across seven role changes since Paul Hindson – who was hired by Matthews’ predecessor, Lord (Willy) Bach – left in 2021.
The vacancy follows the departure of the last interim CEO, Mike Veale, whose promotion from adviser was heavily opposed due to an outstanding misconduct hearing over alleged breaches of professional standards while Chief Constable of Cleveland Police. Mr Matthews said he was “disappointed” by Mr Veale’s resignation in February.
A temporary replacement has since filled the role until the position is filled permanently.
Andy Champness, a qualified barrister and former CEO for the West Mercia PCC, was hired last month and is now the fourth person to hold the interim position since 2021 and the seventh in total.
Prior to Mike Veale’s short stint, the interim position was held on two occasions by Lizzie Star, who is currently the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s director of governance and performance. She first stepped into the role when Mr Hindson’s interim replacement left.
Former CEO of the Derbyshire PCC, David Peet, then held the substantive position from January to April last year before Star temporarily stepped in again. Mr Matthews is now hoping to hire a new, permanent CEO by the end of spring.
Mr Matthews has been criticised by Labour peer Lord Bach for a high turnover of staff since he was elected as the PCC in May 2021. He also came under fire in January when it came to light that he had paid £56,000 in compensation to a disbanded ethics committee that claimed they were unfairly dismissed.
Two members of a new ethics panel have since left their roles weeks after it was formed. Meena Kumari, who runs a successful training firm specialising in domestic and sexual abuse and safeguarding, cited unaligned values as her reason for leaving.
A final panel on the prospective decision on the next CEO is planned for Tuesday, May 9 and the vacancy closes next week. A job posting for the vacancy reads: “To find the right person we are willing to look beyond the conventional.”
The next successful candidate will lead a team of 23 and oversee a budget of just over £6 million, for a salary of £90,000.
He also came under fire when it came to light he had paid £56,000 in compensation to a disbanded ethics committee