The Attorney General Lord Hermer KC has today announced that Anthony Rogers has been appointed to the role of Chief Inspector of His Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI).
The appointment follows Anthony Rogers’ selection as the government’s preferred candidate in December 2024 and his appearance before the Justice Select Committee for a pre-appointment hearing on 28 January 2025. The committee recommended Anthony Rogers’ appointment.
Anthony Rogers has served as interim Chief Inspector since February 2024 and he was selected following a fair and open assessment process conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.
The Attorney General Lord Hermer KC said:
I would like to congratulate Anthony on his appointment as the next Chief Inspector of HMCPSI. Anthony brings extensive experience to this important role, having delivered some of HMCPSI’s most significant inspections in recent years and served expertly in the role in an interim capacity since last year.
His support and insight will be invaluable as we work to improve the performance of the organisations HMCPSI inspects and rebuild people’s trust in the rule of law as part of this government’s Plan for Change.
Chief Inspector Anthony Rogers said:
I am extremely proud to be appointed as Chief Inspector of HMCPSI. The work of the inspectorate strengthens the criminal justice system and lets the public know how the CPS and SFO are performing.
I have a clear vision of how HMCPSI will build on its 25 years of experience to continue to make a real difference. Our work will continue to drive improvement and deliver a fairer and more effective justice system for all.
Anthony Rogers’ Biography
Since February 2024, Anthony Rogers has been Interim HM Chief Inspector of HMCPSI. He was Deputy Chief Inspector of HMCPSI between April 2018 and February 2024, during which he was seconded for six months to the Independent Review of the SFO’s handling of the Unaoil Case, giving evidence to the Justice Select Committee.
While interim Chief Inspector, Anthony has overseen the publication of five inspection reports, including the review into CPS’s actions in the Valdo Calocane case and an inspection by invitation of the Services Prosecuting Authority.
October 2025 will see HMCPSI mark its 25th anniversary and Anthony has set an ambitious programme of inspections for 2025, including an inspection on handling of rape cases in the CPS and an inspection by invitation of the Health and Safety Executive.
Anthony has extensive Civil Service experience going back to 1989 and has worked in a number of different government departments. Between 2013 and 2016 he worked for the Crown Prosecution Service including as an Area Business Manager, jointly responsible for the senior leadership of the Crown Prosecution Service London and Head of Profession for operational delivery; and Head of Compliance, Assurance and Support, responsible for the development, design and implementation of a new Crown Prosecution Service national strategy.
Anthony has extensive experience outside the Civil Service as a management consultant and non-executive director. Anthony was previously a non-executive director of the Yorkshire Sport Foundation and former chair of trustees of SportsAid Yorkshire and Humberside.
Role of Chief Inspector of HMCPSI
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of HMCPSI is appointed by the Attorney General. This is a public appointment for a fixed term of five years and the Chief Inspector acts independently of the Attorney General and of government.
HMCPSI has a statutory duty to inspect the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office and report to the Law Officers, who superintends both those organisations. HMCPSI’s reports play an important role in effective superintendence of CPS and SFO, as well as improving the performance of the organisations HMCPSI inspects, strengthening the criminal justice system, and increasing public trust. HMCPSI is also able to inspect other organisations if invited to do so.
The operational relationship between the Attorney General and the Chief Inspector is set out in a protocol agreed between the Law Officers and the Chief Inspector.
