The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has gone outside the private security industry for its interim chief exec after the sudden exit of Mike Wilson as announced last Thursday, November 6. The stopgap man has a background in ‘change management’.
Chairman, Baroness Ruth Henig, has announced the appointment of Dr Bernard Herdan CB as interim Chief Executive of the SIA. Bernard is expected to join the SIA on November 17 until the recruitment process for a permanent Chief Executive is completed.
Until September 2008 he was Executive Director of Service Delivery at the Identity and Passport Service (IPS). Before this Bernard was Chief Executive of the UK Passport Agency and was responsible in this position for the establishment and initial operations of the Criminal Records Bureau until it became a separate Agency in September 2003.
Baroness Henig said: “I am delighted to welcome Bernard as our interim Chief Executive. The SIA Board and I look forward to working with him. We know Bernard has extensive experience in implementing change management and improving customer service and his appointment will be a great asset to us all as we build on the success and achievements of the SIA.”
Bernard Herdan said: “I am looking forward to working with the SIA’s expert and dedicated staff at an exciting and challenging time for the security industry. It is important that I can provide the leadership and the continuity to keep us focused on the important work of managing the licensing of the industry.”
About the man
He was previously the Chief Executive of the Driving Standards Agency, Commercial Director of the Met Office, Managing Director of Defence Technology Enterprises Ltd, Managing Consultant at BIS-Mackintosh and Broadcast Satellites Programme Manager at the European Space Agency.
He has an MA from Cambridge, a Diploma in Management Studies and Doctorate is in Business Administration. Bernard is a member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology and has published articles in professional journals.
He has also held Non-Executive Director positions on several Company Boards in the UK and USA and is a member of the Board and Deputy Chairman of the Bedford Hospital NHS Trust. He was appointed by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to lead the Review of the Charter Mark scheme.
