CSSA appoints new independent Chair

3 December 2024

Statement confirming appointment of new independent Chair, Mike Cunningham CBE QPM

The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) today (Tuesday 3 December) confirms the appointment of its new independent Chair of the Board, Mr Mike Cunningham (he/him/his). From today, he will lead the Agency’s independent Board, overseeing its work to drive up safeguarding standards in the Catholic Church through the process of audits and independent regulation.

Mike joins the CSSA as an experienced and successful leader of large organisations at local and national levels, including inspection and reporting leadership roles.

He has held three of the most senior positions in British policing: Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police, Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, and CEO of the College of Policing (the standards setting body for policing in England and Wales).

Mike was appointed as Lead Commissioner for the government intervention into Liverpool City Council and is currently Independent Chair of Liverpool City Council Improvement Board. During his career he has also taken a particular interest in leadership development and is a member of the Advisory Board for the Leadership College for Government. He has been the voluntary national police lead for Professional Standards and for LGBT + individuals and led on the development of a Code of Ethics for policing.

Rebecca Mills, a survivor of abuse in the Catholic Church, was on the recruitment panel for the position. Rebecca said: “Put simply, when Mike spoke, I believed him. The situations he will deal with are unique. As well as leadership and knowledge, I saw that Mike has compassion and empathy. This cannot be learnt from any professional manual. I really look forward to working with him.”

Commenting on his appointment, Mike said: “For the work of the CSSA to continue to be effective, two things need to happen. Firstly, it is essential that the voice of survivors, and painful learning from their experience, truly influences our work.

“Secondly, the CSSA’s judgements must continue to be independent. As we strengthen and improve the CSSA’s scope of regulation, we will not hesitate to speak where we need to; our independent judgement is critical. I intend to lead the Board and oversee the excellent staff team with the independence, transparency, and openness which the public, and survivors, should expect and deserve.”

ENDS

For more information, or to speak with Mike Cunningham, please contact Sarah Gleadall: sarah.gleadall@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk