Jacqueline Semple

Fellow of the Emergency Planning Society
Former Chair, Emergency Planning Society (2018-2022)
Fellow of the Institute of Strategic Risk Management

Jacqui is an esteemed Fellow of both the Emergency Planning Society and the Institute of Strategic Risk Management.

She is a highly respected, qualified, motivated, and innovative leader. She has extensive experience in leadership, management, emergency management, business continuity management, risk, crisis management, safety advisory groups, training, and development. She is an exceptional communicator and collaborator with specific interests in organisational and business cultures, people management, communities, partnerships, recovery, and collaboration. She has been front and centre of hundreds of emergencies and many high-profile events, including the G8 and Commonwealth Games. She was also an integral part of the planning and delivery of Operation Unicorn, the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

A graduate of Coventry University and Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Jacqui commenced her career in social services, holding numerous management roles. She has also worked for an international humanitarian organisation, leading a team of 400 volunteers delivering specialist services in the UK and overseas.  She is also a trained counsellor, coach, and mentor.

Jacqui is a member of various committees, working groups, locally and nationally, and editorial boards.  She has written many policies and guidance documents, working closely with Scottish and UK governments. She has also co-facilitated the development and delivery of the emergency procedures advisor course and the event command course at the Police College, Scotland. 

From February 2018 until April 2022, Jacqui was Chair of the Emergency Planning Society, the leading voice of the resilience profession. She continues to be in high demand to share her knowledge and experience with peers and policymakers and for media interviews.

Currently Jacqui is based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a risk consultant and advisor to the Crisis and Disaster Management Department, Royal Commission; the first expatriate woman to be appointed.