Johnny Gwynne resigns as chair

The chair of Redress Scotland, Johnny Gwynne, has today announced he will step down from his position for personal reasons.

Johnny became chair of Redress Scotland in June 2021 following a varied career in law enforcement where his last role was as Deputy Chief Constable in Police Scotland. He was also a director of the UK National Crime Agency, where, as the Head of CEOP he held responsibility for tackling child exploitation.

Johnny Gwynne, said:

“It has been a very real privilege to have played some small part in the establishment of
such an important entity. I know I leave the organisation in good hands as it continues to strive to live by the values we set at the outset – respect, dignity and compassion. I know that all those at Redress Scotland will continue to work ceaselessly on behalf of survivors and applicants as they engage with the Redress Scheme.”

Deputy chair, Bill Matthews, will serve as interim chair until a new chairperson is appointed.

Bill Matthews, said:

I am proud to have worked with Johnny and look forward to building on his exceptional contribution to the national collective endeavour supporting survivors heal from the trauma they have experienced.

“Redress Scotland remains resolute as ever in supporting survivors. Our work will continue without disruption as we acknowledge each individual experience and help survivors and their next of kin with compassion and respect as they seek redress.”

Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, said:

“I would like to thank to Johnny Gwynne for the vital leadership he has provided over the past 21 months in helping establish Redress Scotland and driving forward the progress that the organisation has made in supporting survivors.

“The many years of dedicated public service that Johnny brought to the role of chair has been invaluable and I wish him all the best for the future.

“I am grateful to Bill Matthews for stepping in as interim chair, while the process for appointing a new chair gets underway.”