About Us
The Board
The Board has corporate responsibility for making sure that the Commission fulfils its strategic aims and objectives. It also has executive responsibility for discharging its statutory role by making decisions in cases that the Commission receives. Appointments are made by Royal Warrant following open competition managed by Scottish Government’s Public Appointments Team.
Staff
The Commission’s Chief Executive, Mr Michael Walker, is the Accountable Officer and is supported by a staff complement of eleven, comprising management, legal and administrative support staff. All staff are appointed through open and fair competition, in accordance with the Commission’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
Members of the Board
The Board currently comprises eight Members, one of whom is the Chair. There is an equal split of legal and lay Members, bringing a wide range of relevant skills and expertise to the decision-making process. Lay Members currently have backgrounds in public bodies and corporate governance, forensic psychiatry, police practice and procedure, journalism, research and access to justice.
Dr Vanessa Davies
Chairperson - Board
Appointed: 1 January 2025
Dr Alex Quinn
Appointed: 1 April 2019
Mrs. Laura Reilly
Appointed: 1 April 2019
Mrs. Suzanne Mertes
Chairperson - Audit Committee
Appointed: 1 October 2023
Ms Jacqueline Fordyce
Appointed: 1 July 2021
Mr. Finlay Young
Appointed: 1 April 2024
Miss Alyson Forbes
Appointed: 1 January 2025
Mrs. Gillian Mawdsley
Appointed: 1 July 2021
Management Team
The Commission’s management team comprises the Chief Executive, Director of Corporate Services and two Senior Legal Officers. Between them they drive forward the operational delivery of the Commission’s strategic aims and business objectives, under the oversight of the Board.
Mr Michael Walker BSc (Hons) LLB, Dip L.P., LLM
Chief Executive
Mr Chris Reddick CMIIA
Director of Corporate Services
Mr Daniel Fenn LLB (Hons) Dip L.P. N.P.
Senior Legal Officer
Mrs Fiona Govan LLB (Hons), BSc (Hons), DipFMS
Senior Legal Officer
Selected Publications
Core Policies & Procedures
Code of Conduct for Members
Published: 3rd December 2025
Core Policies & Procedures
Code of Conduct for Staff
Published: 3rd December 2025
