Tributes paid to Martyn Evans as he steps down as chair of the SPA

Mr Evans joined the Authority as a board member in June 2018 before being appointed chair in January 2021.

During his four years as chair he has strengthened the SPA’s governance and accountability of policing, led efforts to eradicate a structural deficit in the policing budget and improved relations and engagement with stakeholders and civic society.

Mr Evans announced his intention to step down at the end of his term in August 2024.

Ms Constance said: “I am hugely grateful to Martyn Evans for the dedication, professionalism and expertise he has shown during his time as chair of the SPA.

“The chair has an important role supporting and scrutinising Police Scotland and Martyn’s calm, but firm, leadership brought stability to the governance of Scottish policing in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the most challenging periods faced by Scotland in the modern era.

“Martyn has had a long and fulfilling career in the public sector and I wish him well for his next steps.”

Speaking on his last day in the job, Mr Evans said: “It has been a privilege to serve as chair of the SPA over the last four years and as a member for two years before that.

“Police Scotland provides an essential public service and is benchmarked against the very best. The service works in the most challenging circumstances with strong values and excellent leadership. I am proud of the service that Police Scotland and Forensic Services provide to Scotland’s communities, keeping us all safe.

“I am grateful to my fellow board members, Chief Constable Jo Farrell and the wider leadership teams working across policing, for their commitment and support during my tenure. I also want to say a special thank you to the police officers, scientists and police staff who work day in, and day out to serve our communities.

“Their dedication to public service is the bedrock of our wellbeing and supports us all to live in a safe and flourishing society.”

Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “Martyn’s leadership and public advocacy have been essential components of a period during which Police Scotland delivered for our communities through public emergencies and major events.

“He has helped to guide policing in Scotland through Covid; COP26; a transition of leadership and, in recent months, supported me as we set a long-term vision and plan to progress a second phase of police reform.

“I am personally hugely thankful for his support, kindness, and counsel.”

Sir Iain Livingstone, the former Police Scotland chief constable who worked with Mr Evans between 2021 and 2023, added to the tributes saying: “Martyn led the SPA through times of enormous challenge for policing in Scotland, including the Covid pandemic where he ensured visible public accountability continued.

“I thank Martyn for his personal support and insight during his work with policing and wish him and his family the very best for the future.”

Lynn Brown, chief executive of the SPA, added: “Martyn is an exceptional leader who has been the driving force behind significant improvements to the governance and oversight of policing in Scotland.

“He has been an effective and committed advocate for policing who has enhanced relationships with stakeholders and supported local scrutiny and accountability.

“I am very grateful for his guidance, support and good humour over the last four years and wish him well for this next chapter.”

Fiona Douglas, director of Forensic Services, said: “I want to thank Martyn Evans for his support for advocacy for Forensic Services at a time of significant internal change.

“During his tenure as chair of the Authority, we have successfully brought Post Mortem Toxicology services into Forensic Services and worked through the pandemic – while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our staff.

“I am grateful for his personal support, guidance, and active commitment to Forensic Services throughout the past four years.”

HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland Craig Naylor said Mr Evans had done “an exceptional job in sensitively delivering significant change within the SPA”.

“He leaves behind him an impressive legacy, and I wish him a long and healthy retirement,” he added.

Chief Superintendent Rob Hay, president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, said: “We wish all the best to Martyn Evans as he steps down as chair of the Authority. He has been a great friend to the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents and he will be sorely missed.”

David Threadgold, chair of the Scottish Police Federation, congratulated Mr Evans on reaching this important milestone, saying: “In my time in post, Martyn has, I believe always recognised and sought to hear the voice of the Scottish Police Federation as the representative body of police officers across Scotland.

“He has always welcomed the challenge of our, at times, opposing views. The collaborative nature of our relationship as we seek to provide appropriate levels of scrutiny to Police Scotland have left the Authority with an extremely sound platform for his successor.

“I wish him the very best for a long and happy retirement.”

The SPA said a Public Appointment process is currently underway to appoint its next chair. The Scottish government is expected to announce the next chair in February.

Mr Evans received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his “unfaltering contribution and dedication” to public service in December 2024 at the Holyrood Scottish Public Service Awards.

He has wide-ranging executive and non-executive experience in the voluntary and public sectors.

Mr Evans holds a BA (Hons), MA (Econ) and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He was the first chair and Independent Trustee of the Alex Ferry Foundation, a new grant-making philanthropic charity which aims to improve the lives of people who work or have worked in the UK shipbuilding, engineering and related manufacturing industries, as well as their families and dependents.

He was chief executive of the Foundation from April 2019 until May 2020.

Mr Evans previously served as chief executive of the Carnegie UK Trust for ten years, having been appointed in November 2009. He was also director of the Scottish Consumer Council (SCC) from 1998 to 2009 and a visiting Professor of Law at the University of Strathclyde from 1995 to 2001.

Prior to taking up his post with SCC he was chief executive officer of Citizens Advice Scotland for five years and director of Shelter (Scottish Campaign for Homeless People) from 1987 to 1992.