Dame Alison Saunders

Dame Alison brings extensive experience in criminal justice leadership to the role. She served as director of public prosecutions for England and Wales from 2013 to 2018, leading the Crown Prosecution Service through significant reforms and high-profile cases. Before this, she held senior positions within the CPS for over two decades.

The strategic board sets the organisation’s strategic direction including vision, aims and objectives. It provides advice, challenge, support and assurance to the Crown Agent as chief executive.

Dame Alison said: “I am very pleased to be working with COPFS at a time when the organisation is making important reforms. The prosecution of crime and investigation of deaths take place in an increasingly complex environment. COPFS recognises this and is ambitious in its plans for improvement in the service it provides.

“I look forward to working with my fellow board members to support COPFS as it continues to develop as a modern, effective and efficient organisation that serves the people of Scotland.”

John Logue, crown agent and chief executive of COPFS, said: “Dame Alison’s wealth of experience in criminal justice leadership will be of great benefit as we continue to strengthen COPFS’s performance and delivery of its essential services.”