The first chair of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) has died following a road crash in Dumfries and Galloway.
Vic Emery, 77, crashed on the A74(M) southbound at Ecclefechan on Saturday afternoon.
He leaves behind a wife, three daughters and three grandchildren.
Emery, originally from Newcastle, held several high-profile public sector roles in Scottish society, including as the inaugural head of the SPA, the body that holds to Police Scotland to account.
He also served as chair of the Scottish Police Services Authority and played a key advisory role in bringing the Edinburgh Trams project back on track.
A statement on behalf of Emery’s family said: “It is with great sadness that the family announce that Vic Emery, a cherished husband, devoted father and grandfather and respected businessman passed away Saturday, 18th December 2021.
“His wife, Dianne, and daughters, Lucy, Juliet and Victoria and three beloved grandchildren are utterly devastated, their hearts shattered, and request privacy at this time.”
At the time of his death, Emery was chair of Zero Waste Scotland and held a number of non-executive posts including past president and board member of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Scottish Maritime Museum, board member of the Scottish Regional Advisory Board, and chair of Thoughthive Limited, a private cyber security software company.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was “shocked and very sad” to hear of Emery’s passing.
She tweeted: “I first got to know Vic when he ran Govan shipyard and since then our paths have crossed regularly through his public sector roles. I held him in very high regard and liked him a lot. My deepest condolences go to his loved ones.”
The SPA said it was “deeply saddened to hear of the passing” of Emery’s death.
The organisation posted a message on Twitter saying he made a “significant and lasting contribution in the early years of police reform.”
Chief constable Iain Livingstone said: “I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Vic Emery. My thoughts and those of everyone at Police Scotland are with his family and friends at this tragic time.
“He was highly respected for his public service where he played a significant role in shaping policing in Scotland as we know it today, both as chairman of the Scottish Police Services Authority and as first chair of the Scottish Police Authority.”
Emery was also fondly remembered by colleagues at the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.
Stuart Patrick, the organisation’s chief executive, said: “We are deeply shocked to hear of the loss of Vic Emery OBE.
“Vic was President of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce during the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and remained a serving director. He provided strong and steady leadership in every one of the many roles in which he served both Glasgow and Scotland.
“His many achievements notably include laying fresh foundations for the future of naval shipbuilding on the Clyde through his successful delivery of the Type 45 programme. He will be greatly missed by everyone at the Chamber and we give our condolences to his family.”
Officers are still appealing for witnesses to the crash, which happened around 2.20pm on Saturday, December 18.
Inspector Andrew Thomson, road policing division, said: “We are still carrying out enquiries with regard to the cause of the crash and again would appeal to anyone who driving on this stretch of road and who witnessed the collision to contact us.
“I would be keen to hear from drivers who have dash-cam footage but I am particularly keen to speak with the driver of a white luton style box van which was seen in the area at the time.”
Anyone with any information should contact police via 101, quoting incident number 1992 of Saturday, 18 December, 2021.
A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
