Chief Inspector
Martin Jones CBE, HM Chief Inspector of Probation
Martin Jones joined the Inspectorate in March 2024 after nine years as Chief Executive of the Parole Board. At the Parole Board, he was awarded a CBE for services to victims, transparency and diversity in the parole system. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Director for Sentencing Policy from 2012 to 2015 and as Head of Crime for Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service from 2008 to 2011.
Heads of Functions
Faith Geary, Chief Operating Officer
Faith joined the Inspectorate in October 2025 with over 20 years’ experience of the justice sector, having previously worked at the Parole Board as Chief Operating Officer. At the Parole Board, she navigated the organisation through the Covid-19 pandemic and transformed the organisation’s operating model. She was promoted to Interim Chief Executive Officer in 2024, where she reduced pressure on overcrowded prisons by reducing parole backlogs by more than 60 per cent.
Simi O’Neill, Head of Probation Inspection Programme
Simi joined HM Inspectorate of Probation as an inspector in early 2016, and has led small youth inspections, thematic inspections, adult core inspections and has been involved in a number of Joint Targeted Inspections. In 2020 Simi was appointed the Head of NPS Inspections – now Head of Probation Inspection Programme following the unification of probation services in June 2021
Andrea Brazier, Head of Youth Inspection Programme
Andrea joined the Inspectorate as our Head of Youth Inspection Programme in July 2021. She was a qualified probation and senior probation officer for more than a decade before moving into youth justice and was previously the Service Manager for Young People at Wiltshire Council. Her past roles have included senior practitioner within a youth offending team (YOT), YOT manager, and Early Help Service Manager.
Ayshea Winchester, Head of Workforce and Corporate Services
Ayshea brings extensive experience from across the Civil Service and criminal justice system. Drawing on that experience, Ayshea leads the Inspectorate’s workforce strategy and corporate services functions. Working closely with Heads of Inspection Programmes, she ensures the Inspectorate has the skilled and capable workforce needed to deliver high-quality inspections, while championing learning and professional development to build expertise and confidence across the organisation.
Louise Cordell, Head of Strategy and Communications
Louise joined HM Inspectorate of Probation in 2024. Louise originally trained as a journalist, reporting and editing across newspapers and magazines for 10 years before moving into corporate communications.
Since then, she has worked in communications roles across the housing and higher education sectors, specialising in media relations, crisis and strategic communications, public affairs and internal engagement.
Helen Davies, Head of National and Joint Inspections
Helen has over 20 years’ experience of working within the Criminal Justice System as both a practitioner in probation and senior manager in youth justice. Helen joined HM Inspectorate of Probation in 2009 and has been responsible for inspections across all programmes. Helen is a fluent Welsh speaker and has responsibility for HM Inspectorate of Probation’s Welsh Language Scheme.
Helen Mercer, Head of Assurance and Improvement
Helen has 20 years’ experience in the youth justice sector in practitioner, leadership, strategy and policy roles across community and custodial settings. Helen is a qualified probation officer and joined HM Inspectorate of Probation as an Inspector in 2014. Prior to that Helen was part of the senior management team at the Youth Justice Board leading national youth resettlement programmes.
Dr Robin Moore, Head of Data Analysis and Research
Robin joined us as Head of Research in 2015. Robin has over 20 years’ experience of leading and managing research strategies and programmes and undertaking quantitative and qualitative projects. He was previously Head of the Research Programme within the National Offender Management Service and has also worked in academia. He has published on a range of topics including assessment, intervention delivery, multi-agency working, leadership, and evidence-informed practice.
Mitchell James, Head of Digital Transformation and Change
Mitchell joined HM Inspectorate of Probation in 2022 and is the Head of Digital Transformation and Change, having previously led the Inspectorate’s Learning, Development and Quality Assurance function. His criminal justice career began in 2013 with Wales Probation Trust before qualifying as a probation officer in London. He later worked in youth justice across several London boroughs before moving into organisational development and leadership roles. Mitchell is passionate about using digital innovation and technology to improve criminal justice services, support practitioners and deliver better outcomes for the public.