Immigration Advice Authority appoints new Non-Executive Directors
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-31)

Six Non-Executive Directors have been appointed for a three-year term to support the IAA’s work.

John Tuckett, Immigration Services Commissioner, has appointed Eni Bankole-Race, Susan Giles, Caroline Hattersley, Stephen McMahon, Julie Parker and Mike Venables as Non-Executive Directors for the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA).

The newly appointed non-executive members will serve a three-year term, bringing their expertise to key governance bodies within the IAA. Susan Giles and Mike Venables will join the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC), while Eni Bankole Rice, Caroline Hattersley, and Stephen McMahon will join the Advisory Board. Julie Parker will contribute to both ARAC and the Advisory Board.

In these roles, they will provide independent advice, support, and scrutiny, helping to advance the IAA’s new vision and strengthen the regulation of immigration advice and services across the UK.

They join existing Non-Executive Director, Simon Smith, Chair of the Advisory Board and ARAC.

John Tuckett, Immigration Services Commissioner, said:

I am delighted to welcome our new Non-Executive Directors to the IAA. Their expertise and independent insight will be invaluable in strengthening our governance, enhancing our regulatory approach, and ensuring that we continue to protect the public by upholding high standards in immigration advice and services.

Their support will be instrumental as we drive forward our ambitious new vision to improve regulation and better serve those seeking reliable immigration advice across the UK.

Eni Bankole-Race

Eni is an organisational strategist with experience across the public, private, and voluntary sectors. A former Inter-Agency Coordinator for the UK Asylum Support Programme, she is now an independent researcher and visiting lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire. She has held various advisory and trustee roles, including as a Lay Assessor for the Advisory Committee on Clinical Impact Awards. Eni holds a law degree and is a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute.

Susan Giles

Susan is a highly experienced governance professional. Currently a Director of Corporate Governance and Company Secretary for a large NHS Trust, Susan has over 20 years’ corporate governance and risk management experience in the NHS. She also has significant experience in the voluntary sector and currently Chairs South Liverpool Domestic Abuse Service and is a Trustee of both North West Cancer Research and Thrive Social Housing. Susan is also the appointed Independent Person for Standards for York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and a Joint Audit Committee member for Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Caroline Hattersley MEd MIoD

Caroline is CEO of Relate London, North, East and Essex, with over 25 years’ experience in leadership, safeguarding, and mental health. She has worked for the British Red Cross, the National Autistic Society, and Providence Row and is a recognised expert in trauma, autism, and sexual violence. Caroline chairs The Gestalt Centre, serves as a trustee for PACT, and Chair of Caritas Westminster’s’ Safe in Faith Initiative. She is also an ambassador for Widowed and Young.

Stephen McMahon CBE

Stephen served in the British Army for over 36 years, holding senior operational and strategic roles across the Middle East, Balkans, Afghanistan, and Africa. He was Assistant Chief of Defence Staff for Military Strategy and Global Engagement and later a senior mentor at the Royal College of Defence Studies. Now Executive Director of VIBSA Ltd, he provides strategic advice to the public and private sectors. He also serves as His Majesty’s Honorary Ordnance Officer at the Tower of London.

Julie Parker

Julie is a skilled non-executive director with extensive finance and governance expertise. She has served as Director of Resources and Finance in multiple London boroughs and holds key audit committee roles, including at Arts Council England. Currently, she is a non-executive director at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust and a board member of Estuary Housing Association.

Mike Venables OBE

Mike is an experienced non-executive, trustee, and consultant with expertise in governance, finance, risk management, and strategy. A former senior civil servant at the Ministry of Defence, he has held senior finance, policy, and legal roles, working internationally in Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Croatia, and on peace negotiations in Kosovo and Afghanistan.