Chair appointed to lead PIRC’s new Statutory Advisory Board
A Chair has been appointed to lead PIRC’s new Statutory Advisory Board and help to deliver its strategic vision.
Maureen Mallon is an experienced public sector leader who is committed to inspiring public confidence in public bodies.
The Board will replace PIRC’s Audit and Accountability Committee (AAC) which met for the last time on Tuesday, 24 February which Ms Mallon attended to observe.
Speaking afterwards, she said: “I am honoured to be appointed to this role. It has been fascinating to listen to the potential that exists within PIRC and to find out about the collegiate working that is taking place … and I am really looking forward to building on that.
“The new Advisory Board will provide healthy and constructive support and challenge for PIRC during this exciting time of change.”
The final AAC meeting was chaired by Liz Humphreys who concluded: “These are exciting times - and I would like to wish you all every success as you continue to move forward.”
Commissioner, Laura Paton, added: “I was pleased to update this final AAC on the good progress we are making, including our Strategic Review as it nears completion. We now look forward to welcoming our new Chair and the experience she will bring to our organisation.”
The new Advisory Board will fulfil a similar role to the AAC albeit with a statutory basis under the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Act 2025; further members will join Ms Mallon when the Board launches on 1 April 2026, following the conclusion an ongoing recruitment campaign.
This governance change has arisen as PIRC prepares to deliver the Strategic Review to balance our statutory duties and provide an effective service to the public and referring agencies – while safeguarding staff wellbeing.
Ms Mallon has contributed to a wide range of boards, committees and organisations. Her career spans local and national third sector organisations including as YouthLink Scotland’s Deputy CEO and Head of National Development programmes.
Appointed in 2003 as an HMI focused on community learning and local authorities, she became an Assistant Director in Education Scotland and then served as CEO of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) in 2019 and led a substantial change programme.