How we are run

• SOCA is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) of the Home Office. We’re led by a Board with a majority of non-executive members. The Board is responsible for ensuring that we discharge our statutory responsibilities and meet the strategic priorities set under statute by the Home Secretary.

The Board of SOCA with effect from September 2012

• Sir Ian Andrews - Chair (Non-Executive)
• Trevor Pearce - Director General
• Peter Clarke - Director (Non-Executive)
• Francis Plowden - Director (Non-Executive)
• Dr Martyn Thomas - Director (Non-Executive)
• Malcolm Cornberg - Director Capability and Service Delivery
• Brad Jones - Director Operational Delivery (Interim)

SOCA Board Register of Interests (51 KB DOC)

Key personnel

The Chair of SOCA, appointed by the Home Secretary, is responsible for SOCA’s overall approach and for our relationship with Ministers and with Government generally. Also for SOCA’s strategy and, with the Board, for overseeing our operational performance.

The Director General is also appointed by the Home Secretary, and is responsible for everything SOCA does operationally and administratively. He is in charge of the day-to-day leadership of SOCA’s management team and ultimately for the appointment, accreditation and direction of our staff. As Accounting Officer, he is responsible for SOCA’s expenditure and accounting arrangements.

Officers' Powers

SOCA officers undertake a wide range of roles, some of which require powers. The Director General is responsible for designating officers' powers and has a legal duty under Section 43 of the Serious and Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 to ensure that only staff who meet the criteria of suitability, training and capability are designated with powers. These can be one or more of the following:

a) a person having the powers of a constable, England and Wales, Scotland and /or Northern Ireland;

b) a person having the customs powers of an officer of Revenue and Customs;

c) a person having the powers of an immigration officer.

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)

SOCA supports the operation of CEOP. CEOP is an affiliated unit with operational independence from SOCA but accountable to the SOCA Board through a committee chaired by Francis Plowden. It publishes its own separate Annual Plan and Report.

Further information

Objectives and values – what we’re trying to do and the ways in which we do it.

SOCA structure – the three key areas of operation

Our accountability – who we report to plus documents we publish