New MPA cash supremo takes up post

01/10
4 January 2010

Bob Atkins has today (4 January 2010) taken up post as Treasurer of the Metropolitan Police Authority. He will play the lead role in managing an annual budget of over £3.5 billion and scrutinising the Met’s use of resources.

Kit Malthouse, vice chair of the MPA, said:

"Bob gave a knockout interview: with sixteen years in the business he knows all the tricks and can see through any smoke and mirrors easily. I am looking forward to him joining the team as we grapple with the budget in our quest for value and focus.”

Commenting on his appointment, Bob Atkins said:

“After a long career in local government, my last sixteen years working with the police service has been the most interesting and rewarding time. Working for the Metropolitan Police Authority cannot fail to live up to my expectations. It goes without saying that I am delighted to join the MPA, and look forward to helping the members and staff of the Authority in their vital role of providing Londoners with the best possible police service in the challenging times that lie ahead.”

Notes to editors

Bob Atkins’ biography:

Born in North London, Bob commenced his local government career in 1966 with the London Borough of Camden. In 1978 he moved to Fenland District Council and subsequently worked for Portsmouth City Council (1980), Wiltshire County Council (1984) and Buckinghamshire County Council (1989).

He was appointed as Deputy Treasurer of Thames Valley Police Authority (the largest non-metropolitan authority in the country) in 1993 and took over as Treasurer in 2003. He was Honorary President of the Police Authority Treasurers’ Society (PATS) in 2004/05 and is a PATS Adviser to the Association of Police Authorities (APA); this entails being lead advisor to the APA Board and the portfolio includes the 2012 Olympics, police authority inspection, protective services, governance and audit.

Bob has lectured extensively for the Chartered Institute of Public Finance (CIPFA), PATS, regional and other groups, covering topics ranging from ‘the meaning of Lent’ to the ‘Auditing of Contracts’.

In his leisure time, Bob is an ordained priest in the Church of England, with a wife and four grown up children. In his youth, Bob was a keen sportsman, but is now reduced to watching from his armchair!

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