Former Chief Constable joins CSEF as new Trustee

July 16, 2012 - PRLog -- The former Chief Constable of Gwent Police, Mick Giannasi, has been appointed as a Trustee of the Children’s Safety Education Foundation (CSEF), the UK’s leading children’s safety charity.

Mick, who retired from the force at the end of March 2011 after over 31 years police service, was formally welcomed to the charity’s Board of Trustees at its Trustee meeting in June 2012.

During his distinguished career, Mick served in three police forces in two countries and in 2011, was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Police Medal for his outstanding contribution to policing.

As Chief Constable of Gwent, Mick had executive responsibility for a budget of over £122m and a workforce of almost 2,500 people, together with the operational direction and control of the force and delivery of policing services. He introduced community based neighbourhood policing and worked closely with local authority partners to improve public confidence and bring about significant crime reductions.

Mick made a significant contribution to the work of the police service in Wales as the Chair of the Welsh Region of the Association of Chief Police Officers and Chair of the all-Wales Collaboration Programme Board. At a national level, he played an instrumental role in developing policies, most notably, the national lead for roads policing matters.  

On joining as a Trustee, Mick Giannasi said: “I am excited to join an organisation that is so passionate about being a catalyst for change when it comes to child safety. Accidental injury remains one of the biggest single causes of death in this country yet we don’t hear that much about it and it doesn’t get the exposure it should.

“CSEF is one of the few charities that focus on prevention when it comes to safety and wellbeing matters so I was delighted to accept the invite to join as a Trustee. I have seen through my own experiences the positive impact that early intervention can have on young people and communities, and hope that my contribution can help make a real difference to young lives.”

Mick joins a Board of four other Trustees – Lord Wade of Chorlton, Chairman; Terence Spurr MBE, Curator of London Ambulance Service Museum; former teacher, Liam McGurrin and Mark Stevenson, Chairperson of the West Lothian based Scottish Burned Children’s Club.

Lord Wade of Chorlton, Chairman of CSEF’s Board of Trustees, said: “Mick is a well known and highly respected figure and his appointment brings deep rooted expertise to our Board. We value his support immensely and look forward to his active participation in raising awareness of child safety matters.  

“CSEF works closely with the police and other emergency services to ensure we deliver consistent and current messages in our education programmes, so having someone of Mick’s calibre directly involved at a strategic level is invaluable.”    

Mick is currently a Commissioner at the Isle of Anglesey County Council responsible for community engagement, corporate governance and legal services.