Independent advice on police reform, digital strategy and organisational change.
Helping policing and public-sector organisations navigate complex change with confidence.
I am Martin Leven, founder of Emmell Consulting.
Policing organisations, public-sector bodies, consultancy firms and industry partners often face difficult decisions involving reform, technology, transformation and organisational change. In those situations, independent advice, constructive challenge and practical experience can help turn strategic ambition into successful delivery.
My advice draws on experience gained through the creation of Police Scotland, founding and chairing the National Police Technology Council, leadership of the National Policing Digital Strategy, and more than 35 years of technology and transformation leadership across multiple sectors and international markets.
Today, I support organisations reviewing strategy, improving digital capability, planning major change or testing important assumptions before significant decisions are made. My focus is on helping clients make informed decisions, identify practical next steps and deliver meaningful outcomes.
Why clients engage me
Proven reform experience
Direct experience of the technology and organisational challenges involved in creating Police Scotland, providing practical insight into the realities of large-scale reform and transition.
National strategy leadership
Leadership of the team responsible for developing the National Policing Digital Strategy, helping shape the future direction of digital policing across England and Wales.
Independent perspective
Advice informed by senior leadership experience across policing, technology, government, consultancy and commercial organisations.
International and cross-sector experience
A career spanning multiple sectors and international environments, bringing wider perspectives and practical lessons from different industries and operating models.
Practical delivery focus
Helping organisations connect strategy, people, technology and delivery to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Services
Tailored to each client, delivered directly or through consultancy partnerships.
I provide independent support across police reform, strategy, digital capability, public-sector procurement, innovation and leadership. Assignments are tailored to the specific needs of each client and can be delivered directly or through consultancy partnerships.
Strategic advisory
Police reform & transition
Supporting organisations involved in policing reform and structural change.
Drawing on my experience from the creation of Police Scotland, I help leaders and delivery teams assess readiness, examine assumptions, understand dependencies and identify the practical requirements for successful transition.
- Reform readiness reviews
- Transition planning and assurance
- Technology integration considerations
- Governance and risk discussions
- Stakeholder engagement support
- Lessons learned from large-scale change
Strategy & transformation
Helping organisations develop clear priorities and practical plans for delivery.
- Strategy development and review
- Transformation planning
- Executive workshops
- Independent challenge and assurance
- Roadmap development
- Strategic decision support
Digital & technology advisory
Independent advice on technology priorities, digital capability and future opportunities.
- Digital strategy reviews
- Technology advisory services
- AI readiness discussions
- Governance and operating model reviews
- Technology investment decisions
- Digital leadership support
IT & digital function health checks
Independent assessments examining leadership, governance, organisational capability, delivery performance and supplier relationships.
Outputs provide a clear view of strengths, risks and priorities for improvement.
Specialist support
Public-sector bid support
Informed by experience evaluating bids and awarding major public-sector contracts.
- Bid strategy development
- Requirements analysis
- Review and challenge of responses
- Evaluation criteria alignment
- Presentation preparation
- Clarification support
Support is based on published tender information and material that organisations are authorised to share. Engagements are subject to appropriate conflict-of-interest checks.
Product & service development
Helping organisations establish whether products and services genuinely address customer needs.
- Product and service review
- Customer-needs assessment
- Proposition refinement
- Market insight
- Opportunity and risk analysis
- Stakeholder engagement planning
Where appropriate, I can help identify useful conversations and perspectives through a professional network developed over many years across policing and industry.
Support for consultancy firms
Providing additional expertise in policing, digital transformation and technology leadership.
Support can be delivered as a member of wider consulting teams or as an independent adviser working alongside existing client relationships.
Leadership & innovation
Innovation workshops and think tanks
Structured discussions designed to explore challenges, test assumptions and generate practical outcomes.
Conference speaking and panel contributions
Speaking engagements and panel participation focused on policing, digital transformation, innovation, leadership and organisational change.
Executive mentoring and leadership support
Providing independent challenge, mentoring and a sounding board for senior leaders navigating complex decisions.
About Martin
Following my retirement from the Police Digital Service, I established Emmell Consulting to undertake selected assignments that are interesting, worthwhile and involve working with good people.
After more than 35 years of technology and transformation leadership, I continue to enjoy helping organisations think through complex challenges without the constraints of a full-time executive role. I am fortunate to be at a stage in my career where I can be selective about the work I take on, focusing on assignments where experience, independent thinking and practical advice can genuinely add value.
While policing has been a significant part of my career, my experience spans multiple sectors and international markets. I have worked across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, contact centres, technology-enabled services and policing, supporting organisations and leadership teams throughout the UK, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia-Pacific. That breadth enables me to bring ideas, lessons and perspectives from different organisations, sectors and operating environments to the challenges my clients face today.
Experience behind the advice
- 2022–2025Director of Strategy and Transformation, Police Digital Service
- Police ScotlandDirector of ICT, following the service's creation
- SPSAChief Information Officer, Scottish Police Services Authority
- FounderNational Police Technology Council, founding chair
As Chief Information Officer at the Scottish Police Services Authority, I was responsible for the technology requirements associated with establishing the new national police service before becoming Director of ICT within Police Scotland. During this period, I also founded and chaired the National Police Technology Council, bringing together technology leaders from across UK policing to share learning, address common challenges and support greater collaboration on national technology priorities.
From 2022 to 2025, I served as Director of Strategy and Transformation at the Police Digital Service, leading the development and publication of the National Policing Digital Strategy while overseeing innovation and professional services.
Alongside policing leadership, my wider career has involved working with scientists, business leaders, government stakeholders and technology suppliers across multiple industries and international markets. Those experiences continue to shape my approach to strategy, leadership and organisational change.
I have also spoken at major international conferences, including the World Policing Summit in Dubai, and given evidence to committees of the Scottish Parliament on numerous occasions. These opportunities have reinforced the importance of communicating complex issues clearly, responding constructively to scrutiny and challenge, and helping organisations make confident, well-informed decisions in demanding environments.
How I work
Clear scope. Practical advice. Collaborative delivery.
Every engagement starts with a conversation to understand your objectives, challenges and priorities.
Understand the requirement
We establish the context, clarify the objectives and identify where independent support can add the greatest value.
Agree the scope
We agree the outcomes, deliverables and boundaries for the work before it begins.
Work collaboratively
I work alongside clients and stakeholders, providing independent advice, constructive challenge and regular communication.
Support decisions and next steps
Assignments are designed to help organisations make informed decisions and move forward with clarity and confidence.
Engagement and contracting
I can work directly with organisations or alongside established consultancy teams. Framework and partner arrangements are available to support engagement with public-sector organisations and police forces where appropriate. The most suitable route and procurement approach will be confirmed for each assignment.
Where additional expertise is required, I can bring in experienced senior professionals from my network. Any involvement is discussed and agreed in advance, with clear roles and responsibilities throughout.
Let's start a conversation.
Whether you are considering reform, reviewing strategy, improving digital capability, preparing a significant bid or seeking an experienced independent adviser, I would be pleased to discuss how I can help.
Martin LevenFounder & Director, Emmell Consulting Ltd