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Blair Gibbs has been appointed as the new Director of the Police Foundation, he will takeover in September, filling the role after the departure of long-term incumbent Dr Rick Muir who has taken up an advisory position in the Home Office.
Blair is a policy advisor and consultant with expertise in public policy and government relations. For 20 years he has researched and advised on criminal justice, policing and drugs policy in the UK and more recently, in Canada.
He is the founder of consultancy firm The Policy Works and was a special adviser to the Prime Minister under the Conservative government and advised the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime in London from 2012 until 2015.
His work in North America has involved research on the opioids crisis in Canada, and alcohol and public safety policies for the Stanford Network for Addiction Policy,. Blair has been a regular commentator on policing, government reform and criminal justice and is relocating to the UK to take up the post of Director of the Police Foundation in September this year.
“I am looking forward to leading the important work of the Police Foundation. Good policing is vital for a safe and prosperous country and the Foundation will continue to be a champion for the Peelian principles that underpin Britain’s democratic policing model.
“Like many countries, police in the UK are facing new crime demands and other social developments that will test them in the years ahead. Our research will help support the police in their work and prepare them for future challenges, as well as increase public understanding and recognition of the critical role that our police officers play.
“The Police Foundation will give decision-makers the policy ideas, international best practice, and new data, to make policing even more effective.”
Dame Sara Thornton, Chair of the Police Foundation said that she was delighted that Blair will take up the position of Director, adding that he has a great track record of working with policing.
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