Ailsa Beaton, Director of Information

Ailsa Beaton is Director of Information and Chief Information Officer on the Metropolitan Police Service's Management Board.

Miss Beaton's directorate - the Directorate of Information (DoI) - provides information, communications and technology services to the 51,000 police officers and staff of the Metropolitan Police Service across 750 locations.

The Directorate is also responsible for the strategic development of the role of information, communications and technology (ICT) within policing in London. The inclusion of Miss Beaton on the MPS Management Board - the first Chief Information Officer (CIO) within the MPS to do so - highlights the importance of effective ICT and the key part it plays in the work of the MPS.

The DoI won one of the Computer Weekly Best Places To Work In IT Awards.

The DoI's services cover:

• Technology and communications infrastructure;
• Information management and security;
• Information systems and services;
• Emerging technologies;
• Technology deployment in policing activities;
• Evidential analysis services;
• Delivery of major information and technology-enabled business change programmes;
• IT Training within the MPS
• Production and dissemination of performance information

and, to the people of London;

• The MPS Public Access Office, who process requests for information made to the MPS under the Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act.

Miss Beaton's role also involves ownership of the DoI Strategic Plan, describing the DoI's mission to "Lead, Improve and Deliver Police Information and Technology". The plan, published each year, describes the value added by the Directorate of Information to the Metropolitan Police by the delivery of programmes and services; developing the ICT platform of the future; and improving policing information. The plan also describes how the DoI improves its own capabilities by getting closer to its customers; building a high performance workforce; and improving efficiency and effectiveness.

In addition, Miss Beaton is the Head of the Information Management Business Area for the Association of Chief Police Officers for England and Wales, thus being a member of ACPO Cabinet and Chief Constables Council.

Miss Beaton was named IT Director of Year in 2005.

She is also a Special Constable in the MPS.

Miss Beaton worked in accountancy initially but has now spent over 20 years working in a range of ICT roles. These have included being CIO for ICL plc, a senior partner with PA Consulting Group and undertaking various sales management and technical support roles for General Electric (USA).