Mark McSherry (Chief Executive)

I started my career working in residential care, alternative to custody programmes and youth justice before joining SACRO in 1997. I studied social work  and provided programmes on Domestic Abuse and support services to woman and children across the Forth Valley as well as programmes for those convicted of sexual offending and for young people on Probation.

I held posts at Glasgow Community Safety Services providing restorative programmes with young people, prior to becoming Head of the Scottish Government’s Effective Practice Unit in 2007. I first joined the RMA in 2010 and became CE in 2019.

Paul Keoghan (Director of Corporate Services)

I joined the RMA in 2008 as Director of Corporate Services and have responsibility for corporate governance and finance matters. Previously, I worked in various management roles within the education sector in Scotland.

This experience is further complemented by financial roles I held with several multinationals in London. My experience is supported by various qualifications including an MBA and a Diploma in Corporate Governance.

Debbie Campbell (Head of OLR)

I am a Chartered and Registered Forensic Psychologist.  During my early career I worked in addiction services; secure mental health and latterly the Scottish Prison Service. I achieved my Chartered and Registered status in 2019.

I have a wealth of experience in assessment and interventions for general and sexual violence. Through various roles I have had the opportunity to develop, deliver and manage offending behaviour programmes delivered in custody. Working across different prisons also provided significant experience in psychological assessment in areas including general, sexual and intimate partner violence, cognitive functioning and personality.

I have a keen interest in the management of individuals who present a high risk of general and sexual violence. In 2020 this prompted a move to the Risk Management Authority where I am now the Head of Order for Lifelong Restriction.

Geoff Tordzro-Taylor (Head of Development)

I’ve worked in care, mental health and prison settings and qualified as a Chartered Psychologist and Registered Forensic Psychologist in 2019.

Since joining the RMA in 2017 I have worked on developing and delivering training, standards and guidelines, overseeing our OLR functions, and supporting agencies with risk assessment and management. In my current role as Head of Development I have strategic responsibility for research, development and evaluation functions.

I enjoy translating current thinking around risk assessment, formulation and management into research projects, approaches to assessment, and education and training initiatives.

Eddie Kotrys (Head of Effective Practice)

I joined the RMA as Head of Effective Practice in 2022 and have strategic responsibility for developing RMA policy on the basis of research and effective practice evidence, through engagement with justice agencies in Scotland and by providing advice to the Scottish Ministers.

I have extensive experience in the field of justice. I began my career as a prison officer and went on to hold many leadership and senior roles across operational, workforce development and national policy areas.

I’m interested in public service organisations work together efficiently and effectively to achieve public protection outcomes that align with the aims and principles of the Vision for Justice in Scotland.

Lauren McClintock (OLR Team Manager)

Before joining the RMA in 2022, I gained experience across various sectors including: youth justice; children’s residential services; as well as, adult residential and community services. I worked in Local Authority Justice Services as a Social Worker before progressing into the role of Team Leader, having oversight of statutory casework, specifically complex high risk violent and/or sexual offenders, including those subject to MAPPA and OLR.

In addition to my current role as OLR Team Manager, my experience as a Practice Teacher and Associate Lecturer ensures that I keep up to date with current knowledge of theory, research and recent advances in social work practice, particularly within risk assessment and risk management.

Rachel Webb (Risk Practice Lead)

I joined the RMA in 2015 as an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) Case Worker after graduating with an MSc in Forensic Psychology. I have worked across the Delivery and Development Team and am now in the role of Risk Practice Lead (Development). Prior to joining the RMA, I worked in residential and secure care.

I have published work on the Order for Lifelong Restriction, the use of LS/CMI in Scotland and Internet Offending. I have also published research that explores trauma, PTSD symptoms and aggression amongst looked after young people. As part of a recent voluntary role, I contributed to research examining body image amongst young women in Scotland.

Ian McIntosh (Effective Practice Lead)

I joined the Risk Management Authority’s Development Team in 2011 and have lead responsibility for the development and delivery of initiatives to support services in the implementation of risk assessment and management practice.  A large part of this role involves supporting practitioners and services in the use of the LS/CMI method and system.

I have been co-delivering the Risk Practice training course since 2015 and have been mightily impressed by the dedication, knowledge and skills of a great number of delegates who come on to this course.  I look forward to meeting many more of you in future training courses.

Dr Elaine Ferguson (Effective Practice Lead)

I joined the RMA in October 2020 as part of the Effective Practice team. I come to the RMA from an academic legal background, having graduated with a law degree from the University of Glasgow in 2013 before going on to a PhD focused on orders for lifelong restriction.

Previously, I taught on a range of law modules at the Universities of Glasgow and Stirling including criminal law and evidence, jurisprudence, medical law, and a number of other private and public law courses. My research interests in criminal law, criminal procedure, and mental health law are broad, but my special interest and expertise lie in the field of risk-based sentencing. My role as Effective Practice Lead (Policy) involves drawing upon my prior expertise to inform evidence-based, impactful policy development.

Julie Webber (Acting Effective Practice Lead)

I joined the RMA back in 2015 and since then have been involved in the development and delivery of initiatives to support services in the implementation of risk assessment and management practice, including the use of the LS/CMI method and system.

I am involved in the delivery and development of Risk Practice training and have provided advice and guidance on risk practice to inform policy development. I have a keen interest in the use of LS/CMI data to inform service planning, enabling and supporting local authorities in service led evaluation and development of quality assurance practices and processes.

Ross Pollock (Risk Practice Lead)

My previous occupation was managing an employment advice service for the BMA. My academic background is in psychology.

Since joining the RMA in 2007, I have mainly dealt with the Order for Lifelong Restriction. I have played a key role in the development of processes which ensure that partner agencies are enabled to manage the OLR population in accordance with statutory requirements and best practice. I have also led the accreditation of the Risk Assessors.

As an increasing number of people subject to the OLR approach release, I aim to cultivate positive relationships with community-based partner agencies. My professional interests include complex trauma, given its prevalence amongst the OLR population.

Emma Harley (OLR Officer)

I joined the RMA in September 2017 as an OLR Case Worker, before moving into the role of OLR Officer in October 2019.  I have worked in various roles in third sector mental health services and latterly with the National Confidential Forum.  I supported the development of trauma-informed policy and processes, supported participants and was involved with external engagement.

I completed a MSc Forensic Psychology just before joining the RMA. I have an ongoing interest in the impact of primary and secondary trauma, in the offending population, victims and those working within the field.

Heather McFadyen (Acting OLR Officer)

After graduating with a MSc in Forensic Psychology, I held roles in supported accommodation and community payback services. I volunteered with the Medics Against Violence schools initiative and latterly worked with young people in secure care before joining the RMA in 2020 as an OLR Case Worker.

My research interests include the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences and victimisation on offending behaviour. I also enjoy developing and delivering training programmes.

Lesley Martin (OLR Case worker)

I joined the RMA in November 2014 as an OLR Case Worker, having previously practised as a solicitor in both civil and criminal law.  With experience of the criminal court process I decided to leave front line legal practice and put my skills to the test within a different area of Criminal Justice.

I have wide-ranging knowledge of criminal procedure, risk assessment and offender management policy and practice. My role as an OLR Case Worker involves reviewing and evaluating Risk Management Plans, Annual Implementation Reports, Risk Assessment Reports and Accreditation applications to ensure compliance with legislation and RMA Standards and Guidelines.

Hayley Warburton (OLR Case worker)

I joined the Risk Management Authority in September 2017 as an OLR Case Worker. I qualified as a Probation Officer (England & Wales) in 2001 and was employed with Merseyside and Cheshire Probation Trusts before relocating to Scotland in 2012. I also have experience of working for a specialist domestic abuse advocacy service in Scotland supporting victims.

My role as an OLR Case Worker with the RMA Delivery Team involves reviewing and evaluating Risk Management Plans, Annual Implementation Reports, Risk Assessment Reports and Accreditation applications to ensure compliance with legislation and RMA Standards and Guidelines.

Emily West (OLR Case Worker)

I joined the RMA in December 2020 as an OLR Case Worker, working across the OLR Team and the Development Team. After completing my MSc in forensic psychology in 2019, I worked within the addictions field, as well as supporting females within the criminal justice system.

I have experience in providing support to individuals in recovery, as well as supporting victims of crimes with Victim Support Scotland and supporting families affected by drugs and alcohol through voluntary work completed over her undergraduate and masters degrees.

Jihad Diab (OLR Research Assistant)

I joined the RMA in 2021 as a Research Assistant. I studied Psychology at undergraduate level at the University of Dundee, following by a master’s degree in Research Methods in Psychology at the University of Strathclyde. I have a keen interest in psychological research in both forensic and vulnerable populations.

With the Development Team, I am currently involved in a review of ‘What Works?’ where the aim is to produce a service/provision providing an evaluation of the effectiveness of risk management methods. I am very excited to contribute towards this fascinating project to help develop contemporary understanding of risk management in an accessible format for the public.

Katie Barr (Research Officer)

I joined the RMA as a Research Officer in 2020. I’ve completed Masters degrees in both Social Work and Social Policy (Research Methods), and previously worked as a social worker and mental health officer.

Having worked in both Canada and Scotland, I have experience in areas related to mental health, sexual health, and domestic abuse, providing individual support and facilitating psychoeducational groups. I am particularly interested in participatory and qualitative forms of research, as well as research that examines ageing populations and LGBT+ issues.

Clare Marsh (Research Assistant)

I joined the RMA in 2022 as a Research Assistant with the Development Team. Prior to this I graduated with a first class law degree from the University of Glasgow, before going on to study an LLM by Research. My masters research, which was supported by the Clark Foundation for Legal Education, evaluated the operation of legal defences in Scots law where homicide is preceded by domestic abuse.

I have worked on various academic research projects, based at the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde. I also teach on the LLB at the University of Glasgow, tutoring on criminal law and evidence and family law modules. My main research interests centre around criminal law and procedure, violence against women and girls, legal responses to domestic abuse and access to justice.

Joanne McFarlane-Fyfe (Training and Events Co-ordinator)

I joined the RMA in July 2006 as Administration Assistant and in April 2007 took over the newly developed role of Training & Events Co-ordinator.

My role is to co-ordinate the delivery of RMA training courses and the management of RMA events.  I support the development and management of the RMA’s annual programme of training events, conferences and seminars.  This ranges across administration, communication and management of events.

My role can be challenging sometimes but very rewarding when a training event, conference or seminar is well received and delegates provide positive feedback and evaluations.

Kathleen McAuley (Office Administrator)

I have been with the RMA since 2007 as Office Administrator, having previously worked within the NHS for 10 years.  I manage the day to day running of the RMA offices, building maintenance, office security, Health and Safety, organisation of monthly Board and Committee meetings and offer administrative support to all RMA staff.

Margaret Smith (Communications Officer)

I have over seven years experience in marketing and communications in the arts and third sector. I joined the RMA in October 2020. My role involves content creation and social media, website development, media engagement and branding. I’m interested in data-informed communications, using accessible language and engaging design.