is an
experienced senior leader in the policing and fire sectors.
For nearly nine years, she has been the Police, Fire and
Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for North Yorkshire, during a
period of substantial change and challenge. She will stand
down from her role as PFCC on 7 May.
Julia has held a number of national roles, including six
years as a Director of the Association of Police and Crime
Commissioners (APCC), the national body for Police and
Crime Commissioners. Her national portfolios included
Transparency and Integrity, and joint lead for Victims and
Violence Against Women and Girls, as well as co-chairing
the APCC’s Race Disparity Working Group.
In May 2020, Julia was appointed as a Non-Executive
Director of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority,
which works to protect vulnerable and exploited workers.
She is also a member of Dame Sara Thornton’s Advisory Panel
which provides support and advice to the Independent
Anti-Slavery Commissioner, and a member of the national
Fire Standards Board. Julia has a keen interest in
supporting victims and vulnerable people, which is
reflected in her role as Chair of Independent Domestic
Abuse Services (IDAS), one of the largest specialist
domestic abuse charities in the North of England.
said:
I’d like to thank the Home Secretary for placing her
confidence in me. Having served nearly nine years as a
Police and Crime Commissioner, taking on the role of
independent Chair represents a change in direction, but
one in which I can continue to use my skills and
experience to support policing.
The PABEW considers important matters, and I’d like to
extend my thanks to out-going Chair, Elizabeth France for
her excellent work, as well as to the secretariat for
their expertise and support. Looking ahead, we have a lot
of work to do, which will need very careful consideration
as the impact will be lasting. Getting things right for
both the police workforce and public is important, as it
will help put policing in the best possible position to
continue its critical work of cutting crime and
protecting the public.
The role of the PABEW is to advise the Home Secretary about
matters such as recruitment, diversity and collaboration
between forces affecting the police in England and Wales.
The PABEW was established as a non-departmental public body
under section 46 of the Police Act 1964, now section 63 of
the Police Act 1996. The Chair of the Board oversees
several statutory functions including:
- advising the Home Secretary on general questions
affecting the police in England and Wales
- considering draft regulations on matters other than
hours of duty, leave, pay and allowance such as the issue,
use and return of police clothing, personal equipment and
accoutrements
- considering draft regulations related to pensions under
section 1 of the Police Pensions Act 1976
- establishing the Scheme Advisory Board (SAB) for the
Police Pension Schemes, in accordance with s7 of the Public
Service Pensions Act 2013
It may also consider any matter relating to conditions of
service and any other matter affecting the police which has
been referred to it by the Secretary of State.
Julia has been appointed for 3 years from 16 April 2021.
