From the MAA website
Part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the MAA is an independent and autonomous organization responsible for the regulation, surveillance, inspection and assurance of the Defence Air operating and technical domains. It ensures the safe design and use of military air systems.
As the single regulatory authority responsible for regulating all aspects of Air Safety across Defence, the MAA has full oversight of all Defence aviation activity. Through independent audit and continuous surveillance of military aviation, the MAA aims to provide the Secretary of State for Defence (SofS), through the Permanent Under Secretary of State for Defence (PUS), the necessary assurance that appropriate standards of Air Safety are maintained in delivering operational capability.
The MAA draws the authority to discharge its regulatory role from a Charter signed by SofS. The Charter also specifies the MAA’s high level governance arrangements and broad responsibilities.
The MAA, which is located at MOD Abbey Wood (North), Bristol, is led by a 3* Director General (DG) who is based in Level 6, Zone L, MOD Main Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB.
DG MAA is supported by two 2*s, Director (Operations) and Director (Technical), who collectively form the MAA Executive.
Independent huh, how can you have independence if it is part of the "company" you are regulating?? the first 6 words in the quote shoot that down in flames.