Dear IPA members
The NEC are your NEC, and it is a real pleasure to continue to serve as your National Executive.
We thought it would be a great idea to produce a short biography after a member's suggestion so you know who we are and what we do
If we can help you, then please do not hesitate to get in touch with us
Thank you.
Karen Duckworth - President (Section UK)
I retired from the Metropolitan Police in 2019 after 31 years’ service. Most of that time was in uniform in a variety of roles including Neighbourhood Policing, Public Order, Emergency Response and Operational Planning. The latter enabled me to play a role in the delivery of the 2012 Olympics as Richmond-Upon-Thames Borough hosted the Olympic road cycling events.
Since joining the IPA in 2020, I have been the UK Section Gimborn Liaison Officer, a role I have really enjoyed. Working with Ulrike Neuhoff and the Team at IBZ to ensure the UK Section is fully engaged in both the seminar delivery programme and maximizes participation opportunities for members.
Away from the IPA, I am a huge rugby fan, and am part of the Matchday Operational Management Team for both the RFU (Twickenham Stadium) and Harlequins Premiership Rugby Team.
You can contact me at president@ipa-uk.org
Kind Regards
Karen
Harvey Whittam - Secretary General
My journey with the IPA began early in my police career when I experienced the wonderful Windsor town-twinning events with a German castle town. That introduction to international friendship and cultural exchange sparked a lifelong commitment to the Association.
I served for 31 years as a police officer with Thames Valley Police and the Metropolitan Police Service. I worked in a wide variety of command units. One of my most enjoyable postings was at Heathrow Airport, where I had the opportunity to welcome IPA friends from around the world. It was also there that I met my wife through a police colleague in the USA.
Later in my career, I broke through the “glass ceiling” whilst working in a Project Management role in central London: I gained approval to work part-time and subsequently gain promotion, while also being the primary carer for my son and daughter.
Outside of work, I enjoy table tennis, golf and chess. Since retiring, particularly after the Covid pandemic, I have devoted much of my time to local history as an amateur historian, as well as serving in a variety of governance roles within my local community.
Over the decades, my family and I have enjoyed many holidays, making full use of IPA houses and meeting friends at events across different countries. One of the most rewarding experiences was helping to organise the International Youth Gathering in the UK alongside my daughter and a dedicated team of IPA members, many of whom remain close friends to this day.
Over more than 40 years of IPA membership, I have had the privilege of meeting countless interesting people, making lifelong friendships, and serving on both Branch and Regional Committees. The friendships, experiences and opportunities that the IPA has provided have been among the most rewarding aspects of my life.
I can be contacted at: secretary-general@ipa-uk.org
Bill Lloyd - National Treasurer
I have experience in varied and diverse roles during my time in teaching and the police service. It taught me how to work individually and, in a team, to obtain a common goal but also gave me leadership skills to be able to promote my own ideas when necessary, offer guidance, knowledge and allow others to promote themselves as well.
I enjoyed the uniform role and its varied aspects of work but was fortunate to experience specialist departments allowing me to travel nationally and internationally working and meeting with not only fellow officers but other enforcement services. I retired after 30 years, with the rank of Inspector in 2006.
In many respects being part of the IPA allowed me to not only enjoy the company of members in other countries but to promote it to the officers travelling with me and those I met on the way.
During 2020 I enjoyed being part of the Retention and Recruitment Group looking at enhancing the experience to new and current members of the IPA by providing a more focused service to them so they could gain the maximum benefits from their membership
You can contact me at Treasurer@ipa-uk.org.
Kieran English - Vice President (Learning and Development)
I started my career in 1993 when I joined The Metropolitan Police Service. I was posted to Streatham following my graduation from Police Training School Hendon. In 1997 I joined 5 Area Territorial Support Group. I was promoted in 1999 and posted to Brixon as a response and patrol sergeant. In 2001 I transferred to Lincolnshire Police. In September 2002 I was promoted to Inspector. In 2007 I was promoted to the rank of Chief Inspector. In 2013 I was promoted to the rank of Superintendent and was posted to East Division.
I was a Strategic Firearms commander, Public Order Commander, Multi Agency Gold Commander. I was also the NPCC operational lead for Hostage and Crisis Negotiators in the UK. I retired from policing in April 2023.
I joined the IPA in 2017 as I was tasked by the Chief Constable working with the local branch/regional branch in organising a NCM in Lincoln. I continued my membership and working with the Lincolnshire committee after the NCM. IN 2023 I became the 5 regional chair. In 2023 I joined the NEC and took over the portfolio of VP/ L&D.
I have two grown up sons and lives in a village outside Lincoln City. I support Lincoln Rugby Team and work part time in the Lincoln Visitor Information Centre. My aims while in post are to enhance the training offered to members, modernise Section UK with the NEC, develop Junior members and develop the international learning development exchange programmes.
You can contact me at VPLandD@ipa-uk.org
Jordan Blyth - Vice President (Social and Culture)
I joined Grampian Police in 2011 as a Special Constable prior to the 2013 merger to form Police Scotland, before becoming a regular officer in 2012.
I worked in Local Policing Teams in Aberdeen for five years, before moving to the Divisional Alcohol & Violence Reduction Unit to investigate serious assaults. Following a short stint in the Force Reserve Public Order Unit, I joined the Intelligence Development Unit, where I remained for four years. I am currently a Detective Constable within Police Scotland's Specialist Crime Division, specializing in Serious & Organised Crime (SOC) Investigations.
I initially joined the IPA in 2018 while trying to book a ride-along for a holiday to the US. Following this, I attended the 2019 Young Police Officers Seminar (YPOS) in Stirling, which spurred me on to become much more active within the association.
I became the Branch Treasurer for the Tayside Branch in 2020, and recently organised the 2026 Branch Ceilidh, which successfully brought together 73 members from across Europe and the US.
As VP Culture & Social, I can realise a genuine desire to give back to the Section, and during my tenure I will endeavour to support and empower our members to both participate in and organise events.
I look forward to working closely with the NEC, SIG groups, and Regional and Branch committees to ensure we provide a vibrant, full calendar of activities that caters to the diverse needs of our entire membership.
You can contact me at VPcultureandsocial@ipa-uk.org
Alex Watkins - Vice President (Communications)
I’m a Police Sergeant with Essex Police and currently serve as the Marketing & Communications Coordinator for IPA 10 Region. Alongside my policing career and IPA commitments, I’m also a keen rugby player and enjoy travelling whenever I get the opportunity.
One of the things I love most about the IPA is the friendships it creates. Through my involvement so far, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet members from across the world.
It’s shaping up to be a wonderful year. I’m probably one of the youngest to hold a national office within Section UK. Whilst I hope to bring fresh ideas and perspectives, I’m equally keen to learn from and work alongside the more experienced members of our Executive Council.
Over the coming years, a major focus for me will be helping to modernise how we communicate and engage with members. As part of this, I’m heavily involved in work around the future of our digital infrastructure. My goals are simple: ● Make our systems easier to use for both new and existing members, regardless of age or technical ability. ● Ensure the security and protection of member data remains a top priority. ● Deliver modern, cost-effective solutions that provide better value for members and the Association.
If you've got any tech questions, the answer is "Turn it off and on again."
You can contact me at vpcomms@ipa-uk.org
Owen Doherty - Vice President (Recruitment and Retention)
I am a serving Detective with the British Transport Police, currently working in CID within the Pennines Sub-Division. I started my policing career in 2021, joining the force as a PCSO. I have worked in both Neighbourhood and Response policing before moving into CID.
I joined the IPA whilst in recruit training and have been able to learn first hand the value that IPA membership can bring to a policing career. My first working role within the IPA was as Branch Secretary for the BTP Branch. I later took over the role of Branch Chair.
In 2024 I was elected as the Regional Chair for 9 Region and following the regional restructure that took place in 2025 I was elected as the Chair of 6 Region.
I am extremely passionate about recruitment and retention. Put simply, my goal is help future proof our wonderful association and introduce the many benefits of membership to the current and future policing family within Section UK, along with enhancing what IPA membership means our current members.
You can contact me at: vprecruitmentandretention@ipa-uk.org