Virtual bilateral exchange with the Supreme Court of Japan

1 September 2023

A new Non-Executive Director (NED) has been appointed to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

Jane Furniss CBE has been appointed as the new NED, replacing Tim Slater who is standing down after four years in the role.

Vicky Fox, Chief Executive of the Supreme Court said:

"I am delighted to welcome Jane to the Court. She brings extensive experience and insight from her previous roles in the justice sector. She arrives at an exciting time for the Court as we deliver our ambitious change programme which will help us to provide a modern and excellent service to court users, Justices and visitors.

I also wish to express my thanks to Tim. He has been a great support to the Court for four years and has helped us to take forward our aspiration to be a world leading Court."

Jane Furniss

Jane has spent her whole career in the justice world, as a probation officer, HM Inspector of Probation and as a senior civil servant in the Home Office. She was Chief Executive of IPCC from 2006 to 2013, where she transformed the way it responded to incidents and complaints which saw a reduction in deaths in police custody and other very serious incidents. On retirement she was appointed Non-executive Director of the National Crime Agency, from 2013 to 2018.

Recently she has served as a Commissioner of the Judicial Appointments Commission, an independent body which selects candidates for judicial office in England and Wales. In addition to selecting candidates, Jane chaired the Audit and Risk Committee and the External Advisory Group on behalf of the JAC Board.

Jane is currently a Trustee of Cumberland Lodge, a charitable foundation providing an educational centre and residential conference venue. She also chairs the Capital Appeal Board for Overgate Hospice in Calderdale.

Previously, Jane was Deputy Chair of the homelessness charity, Crisis. She was Senior Independent Director of the Solicitors Regulation Authority, from 2012 to 2018.

Jane was appointed CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2012.

Jane said:

"I am delighted to be joining the Supreme Court as a Non-Executive Director. My background in the field of justice gives me a real insight into the work of the Court and its key constitutional role. I look forward to working with the Court to support its ambition to provide a World Class service over the coming years."

Contact Information

Scot Marchbank
Head of Communications
scot.marchbank@supremecourt.uk