New Director of Security for Parliament appointed
24 May 2016
The Clerks of both Houses are pleased to announce that, following fair and open competition, Eric Hepburn has been appointed as Parliamentary Security Director. Eric will take over from Paul Martin, who is stepping down from the role in September.
The appointment follows a fair and open competition and interview by a panel consisting of the Director General of the House of Commons, the Clerk Assistant in the House of Lords, the Chairman of Ways and Means, an external member of the House of Commons Commission, Lord Evans of Weardale, and the House of Commons Director of HR Services.
Eric is currently Head of Security and Departmental Security Officer (DSO) for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), a role that covers physical, technical and personnel security for the FCO both in the UK and across its global network.
From 2012 to 2015 Eric was HM Consul General and Counsellor Corporate Services (USA) for FCO, a role that covered security, finance, HR, IT, estates and facilities management. From 2006 to 2012 Eric was the Chief Operating Officer at 10 Downing Street, where he served three different Prime Ministers.
His start date is 1 September 2016.
Eric Hepburn, newly appointed Director of Security for Parliament, said:
“I am honoured and privileged to be selected for this role. I am looking forward to working with a highly professional and committed team of people in the Parliamentary Security Department to ensure that the Palace of Westminster, Parliament’s wider estate, and all those who work there are protected.”