The Home Secretary has today (7 July 2026) confirmed Sir
Andy Marsh QPM as the government's preferred candidate for
the role of HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in England
and Wales and Chief Inspector of Fire &
Rescue in England (HMCI).
Sir Andy Marsh has been Chief Executive of the College of
Policing since September 2021.
Sir Andy has over 30 years' policing experience, having joined
Avon and Somerset Police in 1987 and rising to senior leadership
roles including Chief Constable of Hampshire Constabulary and
Avon and Somerset Police.
Sir Andy has led significant reform across policing, including
improvements in professional standards, leadership development,
and the use of technology and evidence-based practice. He was
awarded the Queen's Police Medal in 2018and was knighted in 2024
for services to policing.
The recommendation follows a fair and open recruitment process,
conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public
Appointments.
Crime and Policing Minister, , said:
Sir Andy Marsh has extensive experience at the highest levels of
policing. He is the right person to take on this vital role as we
deliver the most ambitious reforms to policing in two centuries
and help shape the future of the fire sector.
I would like to thank Michelle Skeer for her leadership of the
Inspectorate since April.
Sir Andy Marsh said:
It is a privilege to be named as preferred candidate at what is a
pivotal moment for policing and fire. I've spent my career
alongside the dedicated officers and staff who work every day to
keep the public safe, and I know first-hand the difference the
right leadership, standards and support can make. My focus will
be on the issues that matter most to our communities, and on
making sure the people doing this vital work have everything they
need to do it well.
Pre-appointment scrutiny by the Home Affairs Select Committee
(HASC) will follow shortly, which is an important part of the
process for some of the most significant public appointments made
by ministers. It is designed to provide an added level of
scrutiny to verify that the recruitment meets the principles set
out in the Governance Code.
If Sir Andy's appointment is finalised, he
will succeed HMCI Michelle Skeer OBE QPM, who
has been in post on an interim basis since the departure of HMCI
Sir Andy Cooke QPM DL in April 2026.
Following a pre-appointment hearing on 14 July, HASC will publish
their recommendations, which the government will consider before
deciding whether to finalise the appointment.
