25 Jan 2006
BAE Systems employee Dr Dave Ashcroft has now taken up his appointment as Chairman of the Preston Bench of Magistrates.
Dave, who is Head of the Advanced Technology Demonstration Centre based at the Companys Warton site, has been a Magistrate since 1981. As Chairman he will take on several responsibilities including chairing Bench Management meetings and representing the views of the Preston Bench of Magistrates at meetings with the Area Executives of Her Majestys Court Service and the Judiciary. Also, he has a pastoral responsibility for the Magistrates and will represent the Preston Bench at attestation ceremonies for new police officers and magistrates.
There were some major changes made last year when Her Majestys Court Service (HMCS) was established and with it, for the first time, a single courts administration organisation for all 650 Crown, County and Magistrates Courts in England and Wales. The purpose of HMCS is to deliver justice effectively and efficiently to the public and a number of consultation exercises on proposed changes are in process.
Dave said: The main, immediate challenge in my new role is to collate the views of the Preston Bench on these proposed changes accurately and to represent their views influentially.
He continued: Being elected by my magisterial colleagues as their Chairman is an honour for me, and gives me positive feedback that during my 25 years as a magistrate I have carried out my duties equitably and efficiently.
Dave, who has worked at BAE Systems since 1962, says that the Companys support has allowed him to be a Magistrate: BAE Systems has a declared intent to be involved in the community and a number of employees are Magistrates - my senior managers, peers and staff have always been very supportive of my involvement.
Dave, who has lived in Preston all his life, was awarded an MBE in the Queens Birthday Honours last year for services to the defence and aviation industry.
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The Company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, combat vehicles, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years and is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems. BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The Company employs over 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 14.8 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.
For further information, please contact:
Lucy Loughney, BAE Systems
Tel: + 44 (0)1772 856525 Mobile: + 44 (0)780 171 6398
lucy.loughney@baesystems.com
