Interim Independent Monitoring Boards National Chair appointed

The Secretary of State and Deputy Prime Minister has approved the appointment of Jane Leech as interim IMB National Chair.

The Secretary of State for Justice and Deputy Prime Minister has agreed the appointment of Jane Leech as interim Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) National Chair from 16 February to 31 October 2026.

IMBs provide statutory, independent oversight, monitoring the treatment and care of prisoners and detainees. They operate in prisons, young offender institutions, immigration removal centres, some short-term holding facilities and on flights for those being removed from the UK.

This appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and has been made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Biography

Jane Leech MBE is a former member of the IMB. She has extensive experience in the IMB landscape, with 18 years of service, including five years as IMB Chair at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre and then as IMB Chair at Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre.

From 2015 to 2024 she was a member of the IMB National Board and its predecessors. Jane has a strong understanding of the workings of the IMB, its governance and its membership. She was awarded an MBE for services to monitoring in the Immigration Detention Estate in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/interim-independent-monitoring-boards-national-chair-appointed