Police Mutual (PMAS) elects Julie Spence OBE QPM as Chairman

Police Mutual (PMAS) has announced the election of the former Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Julie Spence OBE QPM, as its new Chairman.

Mrs Spence was formally confirmed in her new role at the Society's Annual General Meeting in Cardiff on 4 May 2011, following her approval by the Financial Services Authority. As Chair of Police Mutual's Managing Board and Committee of Management she becomes the 9th Chairman in the Society's 90 year history, and the first woman.

Speaking about her appointment, Mrs Spence said, 'I am really pleased to become Chairman of Police Mutual. As a Chief Constable I was a strong advocate of financial education, and encouraging police officers and staff to take responsibility for making sound financial decisions.I am delighted to have the opportunity to continue to influence this area of police life and to help Police Mutual improve what it offers to members and stay relevant to their needs.'

Mrs Spence began her Police career in Avon and Somerset Police in 1978. Since then she has held positions in ACPO as well as Thames Valley Police and Cambridgeshire Constabulary, where she was appointed Chief Constable in 2005.

She was awarded the OBE in 2007 and the Queen's Police Medal in 2010. She was also President of the British Association of Women in Policing. Julie was elected to the Committee of Management as a Vice President in May 2007. Mrs Spence is also a member of the Press Complaints Commission Police Mutual's Chief Executive, Stephen Mann, commented, 'I am delighted to congratulate Julie on her new role with Police Mutual. Policing in the UK is currently undergoing a period of rapid change and Julie brings with her a wealth of experience to help guide Police Mutual through that change.

Julie's particular interest in supporting the financial welfare and education of police officers and staff together with a successful track record in significant leadership roles and responsibilities made her an excellent choice as Chairman'.

After her appointment, Mrs Spence paid tribute to Police Mutual's retiring chairman John Giffard, former Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police, saying 'John will be a hard act to follow, and I aim to build on the very stable framework built by him and his colleagues over the last four years.'