CHAIRMAN OF SECURITY INDUSTRY AUTHORITY RESIGNS

The chairman of the Security Industry Authority, Molly Meacher, has tendered her resignation. The home secretary has accepted it with regret.

An acting chairman will be appointed pending the recruitment of a permanent successor following an open competition.

Hazel Blears, Home Office minister responsible for the SIA, said: 'It is with regret that the home secretary has accepted Molly Meacher's resignation as chairman of the SIA.

'Ms Meacher has made a significant contribution to the establishment of the authority over the past 20 months, and played a vital part in preparing the SIA for the start of door supervisor licensing in March 2004. We wish her well for the future.'

The licensing of door supervisors remains on course to start from March 2004.

NOTES

1. The Security Industry Authority was established under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 to raise the professional standards and probity of those working in the private security industry. The SIA will be responsible for licensing door supervisors, wheel clampers, security guards, private investigators, key holders and security consultants. The authority will also run an approved contractor scheme.

2. The four other members of the authority are Robin Dahlberg, Peter Hermitage, Brendan O'Friel and Bruce Warman.

3. The SIA is an executive non-departmental public body. Under the terms of the 2001 Act the chairman and other members of the authority are appointed by the home secretary.