New non-executive SOCA directors announced

Home Secretary Alan Johnson has announced the appointment of three new non-executive directors to the board of the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).
Following an open competition, Susan Garrard; Peter Clarke QPM, OBE; and Francis Plowden were appointed and will start on September 1. Mr Johnson said all three will bring “fresh impetus and expertise” to the SOCA board.
Mr Clarke served with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) for over 30 years, reaching the rank of assistant commissioner before retiring last year. He held many roles during this time, including head of the Anti-Terrorist Branch and national coordinator of terrorist investigations, head of the Royalty and Diplomatic Protection Department and staff officer to the Commissioner, Sir Paul Condon. 
Mr Clarke is also on the trustee board of Crimestoppers with Sir Ronnie Flannigan and has been a member of the Government’s National Security Forum since its creation earlier this year.
Ms Garrard is currently director of marketing and communications and member of the executive board for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). She has worked closely with the Government as a strategic consultant and was involved in a major change programme at DWP.
Mr Plowden is currently commissioner and chair of the Audit Committee, Judicial Appointments Commission. He has a background in professional services, including international affairs for Coopers and Lybrand and as head of government sector for PricewaterhouseCoopers.
He has carried out advisory work for the Ministry of Justice, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the National Audit Office and the Office of Fair Trading. Mr Plowden is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
“I would like to thank Stephen Barrett, Ken Jarrold and Sir Roger Wheeler, who will be standing down at the end of August, for the contribution they have made to SOCA since their appointment in 2005,” said Mr Johnson.
The appointment of the new non-executive directors follows the announcement on July 8 that Sir Ian Andrews takes over as chair of SOCA in August.