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Chief Inspector of Prisons in Scotland
12/06/2009
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill today announced that following an open competition Brigadier Hugh (Hughie) Brisbane Henry Ewart Monro CBE was appointed by Royal Warrant to be the next Chief Inspector of Prisons in Scotland.
Brigadier Monro will take over the role of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons on Tuesday June 16 and the appointment will be for four years.
Hughie Monro served for 36 years in the Army, commissioned in to the Queen's Own Highlanders in 1972, retiring as a Brigadier in 2008. His final post was as the Deputy Commanding General of the Multi National Security Transition Command-Iraq, based in Baghdad during 2006 and 2007 where he was responsible for helping to train and equip the Iraqi Army and Police.
Brigadier Monro said:
"I am extremely honoured to have been appointed as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland. Dr Andrew McLellan and his excellent team have given a great lead and set high standards of inspection and reporting over the past 7 years. I will try to maintain this fine example.
"I am looking forward to the challenge of providing independent assurance that Scotland's prisons meet the international standards for humane treatment of prisoners."
Kenny MacAskill said:
"Brigadier Monro has served his country with distinction for many years. I have no doubt that he is more than capable of taking on the challenging role of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons, leading the Inspectorate responsible for ensuring that Scotland's prison estate remains a safe environment for staff and prisoners alike.
"Dr Andrew McLellan was an outstanding Chief Inspector and I am certain that Brigadier Monro is the right person to carry on this very important work."
This is a Senior Civil Service post for a fixed term of 4 years with no possibility of extension. The salary for the post is in Senior Civil Service pay band 1 (min £58,200 - max £117,750).
Hughie Monro served for 36 years in the Army, commissioned in to the Queen's Own Highlanders in 1972, retiring as a Brigadier in 2008. His final post was as the Deputy Commanding General of the Multi National Security Transition Command-Iraq, based in Baghdad during 2006 and 2007 where he was responsible for helping to train and equip the Iraqi Army and Police. Previously he had set up and commanded the School of Infantry, based in Catterick Garrison, N Yorks, where he was responsible for all infantry training.
He commanded the 52nd Lowland Brigade, based in Edinburgh Castle from 1998 to 2001. During that tour he commanded the operation to eradicate foot and mouth disease in southern Scotland; this operation was successfully completed in only 6 weeks.
He was the last Colonel of the Regiment for The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) from 2001 to 2006, having been the first Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion The Highlanders on their formation from the Queen's Own Highlanders and The Gordon Highlanders, 1994 to 1995. He retired as Colonel of The Highlanders following the formation of The Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006.
Since his retirement from the Army Hughie Monro has worked as Senior Associate and consultant for Exclusive Analysis, a firm specialising in political risk forecasting, based in London.
He lives on Speyside where his interests include repairing dry stane dykes at his home, golf and Morgan sports cars. He was appointed MBE (Mil) in 1988 and CBE (Mil) in 2003.
He is Chairman of an educational trust called The Scots at War Trust which is an educational trust and hosts lectures and seminars on military history in Edinburgh and occasionally London. He is also a member of the Tomintoul, Glenlivet and Inveraven Parish Congregational Board (Church of Scotland).