Kirsten Hearn appointed as new MPA Independent Member

68/02
21 June 2002

The Metropolitan Police Authority is pleased to welcome Kirsten Hearn as the new Independent Member of the Authority.

Commenting on her appointment, Kirsten Hearn said:

“I am delighted to take up my appointment as an Independent Member of the Metropolitan Police Authority. One of my primary motivations for applying was my wish to be part of making London fit and safe for absolutely everyone. I am particularly concerned with safety on transport routes in the Capital and shall bring with me working experience of transport issues from my continuing role as a non-executive Board Member of Transport for London.

“Having previous experience as a member of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Advisory Group to the Met and as a member of the MPA’s Independent Challenge Panel for the Best Value Review of Consultation in 2001, I bring with me an understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the Authority in its task to make London’s policing responsive to the needs and concerns of its all inhabitants.

“Community safety and taking full account of all London’s diverse communities and groups, inclusivity, is a key challenge the MPA must address in the advice and guidance it offers to the Met. As a blind woman I have had to develop strategies and support systems to overcome the many challenges I face in life and naturally I will be working to ensure that the Met is actively offering user-friendly services to disabled Londoners. I look forward to making a start.”

Toby Harris, Chair of the MPA, said:

“There was an extremely strong body of applicants for the vacant position of Independent Member. However, Kirsten’s excellent previous experiences with public sector organisations in London, her abiding interest in community issues and her personal skills recommended her as the ideal candidate. I am pleased to welcome her to the MPA on behalf of all the members and staff.”

Notes to editors

1. Kirsten Hearn’s background has been in public service, training, community action and creative arts.

She currently leads an Empowerment Coaching and Training Consultancy supporting individuals and organisations to develop their services, people and products to the challenges of a new era. Previously she worked for sixteen years in local government where she led corporate, strategic organisation and staff development initiatives, specialising in equality and diversity.

Kirsten is a non-executive Board Member of Transport for London where, amongst other roles, she has worked on social inclusion transport issues, best value scrutiny and community consultation.

Kirsten has been a freelance equality trainer since 1983 and has been active in voluntary organisations since 1980. She is also a sculptor, writer and singer-songwriter. She is an NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Master Practitioner and a certified NLP Coach. She has an MA from the Royal College of Art in Environmental Media and Design Education.

2. The Authority advertised widely for a new Independent Member to replace former member Angela Slaven who resigned as of 2 January this year to take up outside position. Kirsten’s appointment will end at the same time as the MPA’s other Independent Members in July 2004.

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