A good day to bury bad news?
Peter Hermitage is resigning, not yet halfway through his term as chairman of the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
Former Home Secretary David Blunkett appointed Mr Hermitage as chairman in July 2004, for a four-year term. By coincidence, Mr Blunkett resigned as Works and Pensions Minister on the same day, November 2, as Mr Hermitage. In a statement, Mr Hermitage did not refer to his leaving before he was halfway through his term. He said: “I have been with the SIA since its launch in April 2003, first as a board member and for nearly two years as chairman. Over that period I have seen the SIA face tough challenges, and by working closely with stake-holders, make tremendous progress in transforming the private security industry. As a board member and then chairman, I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to make my own contribution to those achievements and to have worked with such a professional and dedicated team. But the time has come for me to move on, and at the end of January I will stand down to focus on other life-challenges that I want to pursue. I leave knowing that our board and executive team are well equipped to meet the demands of the new-year (especially the licensing of the security guarding sector). But, I am still here for another three months and I intend to ensure that it’s business as usual during that time and beyond.” Mr Hermitage joined the SIA board at the launch of the authority in April 2003. In December 2003 he became acting chairman after Molly Meacher left suddenly. A former Kent career police officer, he gained the rank of chief constable and was director of National Police Training.
‘With regret’
Paul Goggins, Manchester MP and Home Office minister responsible for the SIA, said the resignation was accepted ‘with regret’. Peter has made a significant contribution to the establishment of the SIA and has played a vital role leading the licensing regulation roll out for the private security industry across England and Wales.”
