Bill Skelly QPM

Bill was a founding Trustee of the SWPHT in his role as the Deputy Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police. He recently retired after 31 years of police service and is now the Managing Director of his own Boardroom Consultancy business.

Bill is passionate about preserving the heritage of policing and making it accessible and relevant to the generations of today and tomorrow.

“Policing has a hugely significant role in society and I believe that the heritage of the police service in Devon and Cornwall can help inform communities about the importance of this crucial public service. It also opens a fascinating window on the lives of past generations and the paths we have trodden to take us to where we are today.”

Bill was born in Dundee and studied Maths and Physics at Edinburgh University before joining Lothian and Borders Police in 1990. He enjoyed a varied career in plain clothes and uniformed roles, including being appointed as Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland. He held senior positions with the Metropolitan Police, Police Scotland and Devon and Cornwall Police before concluding his service as Chief Constable in Lincolnshire.

A keen sportsman, Bill has represented the Police at international level in volleyball and is a member of the Police Sport UK Executive. He is also a Trustee of the British Police Symphony Orchestra although he admits that his personal prowess on the guitar is not worthy of public audiences.