Bill Matthews appointed acting chairman at the SIA

Bill Matthews (pictured) succeeds Baroness Ruth Henig whose appointment came to an end on January 14, after two full terms in office. The new appointment of Bill Mathews was made following a formal recruitment campaign.

The Home Office have stated that the appointment is to last one year, with Bill Mathews’ main responsibility being to lead the Security Industry Authority through a business licensing regime. The recruitment process for a permanent chairman will begin in due course.

Speaking about the new appointment, Home Office minister Lord Taylor said: “I’m pleased to announce the appointment of Bill Matthews as acting chairman of the SIA. I’m sure that he will bring his energy and experience to this vital and challenging role as the SIA moves towards a new regime based on the regulation of businesses.”

About Bill Matthews

His career began as an engineer at Motorola, which lead to 15 years in operations, marketing and senior management roles.

Following a subsequent period in the small and medium enterprise sector, he developed a portfolio of non-executive roles in the public and private sector.

Mr Mathews has also worked in criminal justice and law enforcement since 2004, including roles as a member of the Management Board of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and the Scottish Police Services Authority.

In 2008 he became the Scottish Board Member of the Security Industry Authority and has worked with Scottish Government in Edinburgh on the Scottish SIA regulation, which happened later than in England and Wales.

Matthews holds degrees in engineering, psychology and business administration and is a member of both the BBC Trust and the British Transport Police Authority.