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18 November 2008
The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) today announced the appointment of an additional board member as part of a programme to increase capability in the run up to the start of the National Identity Scheme.
Vince Gaskell, currently chief executive of the Criminal Records Bureau, will join IPS in the new year as executive director for new service implementation. He will take overall responsibility for the business implementation of key identity card initiatives.
These include:
- identity cards for airside workers when they go-live from autumn 2009 and, subsequently, others working in sensitive roles and locations
- the plan to allow the public to pre-register their interest in the identity card programme, with a small number of citizens being issued cards in late 2009
- the incremental roll-out of identity cards for young people from 2010
IPS statement
Identity and Passport Service (new window) chief executive, James Hall, said, 'We are now entering an exciting phase in delivering the National Identity Scheme with the first cards for foreign nationals being implemented this month.
'Vince’s leadership of the CRB has been characterised by a focus on building strong relationships with customer organisations across the public and private sector.
We are very pleased to be able to use that experience as IPS builds its relationships with the many public and private organisations which will use passports and identity cards as a core part of their personal security and identity assurance regimes.'
Vince Gaskell's statement
Vince Gaskell said, 'Joining the IPS to play a role in delivering the National Identity Scheme brings a unique opportunity and one which I am very much looking forward to.
'I have spent five hugely enjoyable and successful years at the Criminal Records Bureau (new window) overseeing a significant period of growth for the organisation. But now is the time for me to move on and face a new challenge with the IPS.'
Notes to editors
The first stage of the National Identity Scheme goes live on 25 November with the first identity cards for non-EEA foreign nationals. From autumn 2009, airside workers in Manchester and London City airports will be the first UK and EEA citizens to receive identity cards. IPS will begin the incremental roll-out of voluntary identity cards to young people in 2010 and starting in 2011-12 general roll-out will begin.
The National Identity Scheme Delivery plan (new window) was published in March 2008.
Vince Gaskell joined the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) as chief executive in 2003 after working as change director at the Child Support Agency and the Department for Work and Pensions.
During his time at the CRB he oversaw:
- the prevention of more than over 80,000 unsuitable people from gaining access to children or the vulnerable, as a direct result of CRB checks
- an increase in customer satisfaction each year from 50% in 2002 to more than 90% in 2007
- CRB achieving self-funding status with its fees frozen for the past two years
