Press release

David Horncastle appointed as interim Chair of the SIA

David Horncastle has been appointed by the Home Office as interim Chair of the SIA.

David – who joined the SIA Board in March 2015 as a non-executive director – takes over from Elizabeth France, whose fixed term appointment came to an end on Thursday 14 January 2021. He will serve in the role while the Home Office concludes the open competition which is currently underway to appoint a substantive Chair. It is expected that a substantive Chair will be announced by the Home Office in the spring.

David had a 30-year executive career with BT. From 2009 to 2015 David was Director of Security Professional Services in BT Security, responsible for both the protection of BT and the delivery of security services and solutions to customers.

David is also a non-executive director of the National Crime Agency.

Speaking on his appointment David said:

I am delighted to serve the SIA during this transition period to a new Chair being appointed. I have been a board member since March 2015, and I believe the SIA is a good organisation doing an increasingly effective job in an important industry.

He added:

With the strong executive team, we have in place, the SIA continues to be in good hands during this time.

Further information:

  • The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. Our main duties are: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities; and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.
  • For further information about the Security Industry Authority visit www.gov.uk/sia. The SIA is also on Facebook (Security Industry Authority) and Twitter (SIAuk).
Published 15 January 2021