New chair appointed to Police Advisory Board for England and Wales

Gaon Hart has been appointed as Chair of the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales (PABEW).

He will take up the new role over the summer and has been appointed on a three-year term.

Hart currently serves as chair of the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, where he oversees the prevention, protection and investigation of the £1.3 billion annual fraud risk facing the UK health sector.

He also works as managing director of Legal Advisory Worldwide, a boutique consultancy specialising in global economic crime prevention in the private and public sectors and also works closely with police on misconduct hearings. 

The PABEW advises the home secretary on matters such as recruitment, diversity and collaboration between forces in England and Wales.

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; and establishing the Scheme Advisory Board (SAB) for the Police Pension Schemes, in accordance with s7 of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013.

Upon his appointment, Hart said: "I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Home Secretary for placing her confidence in me. This is a timely and important moment to serve as the interface between the government’s bold agenda to restore confidence in policing and make our streets safer, and the Police Service entrusted with delivering on those priorities.

"Having worked alongside police officers for many years – including in my former role as the UK Lead Prosecutor for Public Corruption – I have a deep appreciation for the critical and often under-recognised role they play in protecting the public.

"The Police Advisory Board for England and Wales (PABEW) offers a valuable forum for collaborative thinking, enabling the development of innovative ideas and the presentation of practical options to support the Home Office’s objectives. I am passionate about the opportunities this role presents and committed to contributing meaningfully to its success."