The Office for Equality and Opportunity today confirmed a number of updates to the membership of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Board.
These updates include the extension of Baroness Kishwer Falkner’s appointment as Chair for a further year until 30 November 2025. Dr Lesley Sawers OBE will also serve a further year as Deputy Chair.
Baroness Kishwer Falkner, Chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), said:
“I am pleased to have my appointment as Chair extended for a further 12 months.
“This is an important time for the EHRC, with our Strategic Plan for 2025 to 2028 in development. We are also currently consulting on our updated Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations – which sets out how the Equality Act 2010 should be applied in everyday situations to prevent discrimination against people with protected characteristics.
“Both documents are due for publication in Spring 2025, and I look forward to overseeing their delivery, along with all our vital work as Britain’s equality regulator and an ‘A’ status National Human Rights Institution.
“The election of a new UK government earlier this year naturally brings a new legislative agenda, and we have a critical role to play in advising government ministers and our parliamentarians on the equality and human rights implications of the bills that will be brought forward. Similarly, we will continue to assist the courts by providing impartial expert advice on the proper interpretation and application of the law in these areas.
“I am extremely proud of what the EHRC has achieved during my time as Chair. We work at the forefront of challenging issues that people care deeply about, and we are uniquely positioned to make a difference. We continue to focus on taking action to make Britain a fairer country: action that makes a positive difference to people’s lives.”
Meanwhile, Commissioners Jess Butcher, David Goodhart and Su-Mei Thompson will all leave their positions on the Board of the EHRC at the end of November 2024.
Keith Richards OBE, a barrister and former chair of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, has been appointed to the EHRC Board for a period of four years from 13 November 2024.
Commenting on the changing membership of the Board, Baroness Falkner continued:
“We are extremely grateful to David, Jess and Su-Mei for their service during their time with the EHRC. We have valued their contribution to our decision-making and strategic oversight immensely.
“In just the last year, they have steered the production of our latest Equality and Human Rights Monitor report and represented the EHRC at the General Assemblies of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions and the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions.
“The EHRC has benefited from a highly experienced, skills-rich and diverse Board, which has been united in its delivery of the public’s priorities over the past four years. We wish our departing Commissioners well and look forward to welcoming Keith Richards.”
Read the Office for Equality and Opportunity’s announcement here.
Background
- Public appointments to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Board and the position of the Chair are made by the Secretary of State for Women and Equalities.
- The three departing Commissioners will shortly complete their respective terms, having each been appointed for four years from 1 December 2020. More information on our Commissioners' terms can be found here.
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