National Preventive Mechanism Eighth Annual Report 2016–17 NPM chair On 12 May 2016, John Wadham took up the role of the first independent Chair of the NPM. His appointment was approved by NPM members during the April 2016 business meeting, following a recommendation of a selection panel, which was made up of four members of the NPM steering group and one independent panel member (Professor Rachel Murray from Bristol University). The panel reviewed applications made by candidates through an open selection process. The role of the Chair is to advise and support the NPM in fulfilling its mandate, including: • chairing the NPM steering group meetings three to four times a year and NPM business meetings twice a year; • supporting NPM members in developing and implementing NPM work and in fulfilling their NPM responsibilities; and • speaking publicly on behalf of the NPM and representing the NPM at meetings with external stakeholders. The Chair also supports the NPM coordination in carrying out its role. NPM coordination Coordination is essential to the full and effective implementation of OPCAT in the UK, given the scale and complexity of the UK NPM’s multi-body structure. Each NPM member has a different mandate, powers and geographical remit and sets its own priorities for detention monitoring, as well as contributing to joint NPM priorities. 12 HMI Prisons fulfils the role of NPM coordination and this is performed with the purpose of: • promoting cohesion and a shared understanding of OPCAT among NPM members; • encouraging collaboration and the sharing of information and good practice between UK NPM members; • facilitating joint activities between members on issues of common concern; • liaising with the SPT, NPMs in other states and other international human rights bodies; • sharing experiences and expertise between the UK NPM and NPMs in other states; • representing the NPM as a whole to government and other stakeholders in the UK; and • preparing the annual report and other publications. NPM steering group The coordination function, activities and governance of the NPM are overseen by a steering group of five NPM members. They meet regularly and are representative of members in all four nations of the UK and also of the different remits of organisations that make up the NPM. The NPM steering group supports decisionmaking between business meetings, and develops the NPM business plan and proposals to members.