PW_3_2025

Keeping you informed

Keeping you informed

Much to be positive about I am honoured to have been elected to succeed Clive Wood as President at the National Council Meeting (NCM) on 7th June. I thank Clive for his seven years of service as President and earlier work on the National Executive Committee (NEC).

A s Clive now focuses on his role as Head of Administration for the International Executive Board, the new NEC will continue advancing Section UK. The NEC includes returning members Vice President Colin Hutt (Head of Communication), Secretary General Spike Elliott, and National Treasurer Bill Lloyd, with new Vice Presidents Kieran English (Learning & Development) and Sean Hannigan (Culture & Social). Whilst everyone is aware that it is currently a challenging period for Section UK, there is much to be extremely positive about looking ahead at the next four years, because this organisation has so much to offer its members. Just before the NCM, Section UK held its annual National Golf Competition at the East Sussex National Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa. It was lovely watching our golfers on the last day of the competition, although in the wind and drizzle I was glad to be watching with a cup of coffee. I was able to spend time with Yvonne McGregor and Julie Robertson, who were staying with Kyra and I before heading back to Scotland. We took the opportunity to arrange a meal with May-Britt V.R. Ronnebro and her husband Lennart, who were in London at the time, along with members of Thames Valley Branch (Hannah Wheeler and Rupinder Gill).

Kimberly and Janine in Windsor

Section UK male and female footballers also took part in the first IPA World Football Tournament in Albania in June. The women’s team, made up of mainly new members who came to the IPA through Police Sport UK (PSUK) won their competition, so huge congratulations to them. It also provided the IPA with greater visibility within PSUK which will be very helpful looking ahead to events next year such as the IPA games in Wroclaw. Indeed, no sooner had the NCM finished, and I was hosting two colleagues from IPA Wolfsburg in Germany. Kimberly Geber and Janine Kruger had been travelling in beautiful Wales and spent time in Windsor on their way back home. Kimberly is a member of the IEB Project Team for #SHEisIPA, and it was a pleasure to introduce them both to members of Thames Valley Branch. This was particularly lovely because we were joined by Paul Devlin, a serving member of Thames Valley Police who had, that afternoon, received his long service medal. Paul had spent time in Wolfsburg in December 2024 hosted by Kimberly as a part of an exchange organised through #SHEisIPA.

Meeting May-Britt

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POLICE WORLD Vol 70 No.3, 2025