Scottish Police Authority chairman and chief executive to step down

Two senior members of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) have announced they will step down from their positions next year.

Chairman Martyn Evans and chief executive Lynn Brown will step down in 2025, having served on the SPA in their current roles for 10 years between them.

Mr Evans announced he will step down on January 31, marking an end to a four-year tenure in the role.

Despite having been offered a four-year renewal, Mr Evans declined, joking he would be “nearer 80 than 70” by the time he would finish a second term.

Announcing his retirement from the role at the SPA board meeting in Glasgow on Thursday, he said: “I have of course informed the Cabinet secretary of my decisions, and the chief constable and the chief executive, and have informed the board yesterday.

“In my view, 2025 is a right time for a new chair to work with the board to build on our shared agenda of continuous improvement, financial prudence and delivery of the second phase of strategic police and forensic services report.”

A new chairperson will be recruited in late September.

Mr Evans said: “I still have five months to serve, and I look forward to those months very much with us all working together at the same high levels of mutual commitment, respect, good humour and optimism.”

Ms Brown later announced during the same meeting that she will step down at some point in autumn next year.

By that point, she will have headed the organisation for six years – which is half of the organisation’s lifetime as it will celebrate its 12th year in 2025.

Ms Brown, 65, was successfully treated for cancer around three years ago.

She said she is “grateful” for her upcoming birthday, and “would like to be in a position to fully embrace that”.