Chair of Equality and Human Rights Commission term extended to November 2025

The government has today extended Baroness Falkner's term as Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) by one year to 30 November 2025. A recruitment campaign for a new Chair begins today, with an appointment expected to be announced next year.

The Deputy Chair, Dr Lesley Sawers, has also had her term extended from 28 March 2025 to 30 November 2025. 

The Secretary of State has appointed Keith Richards to the Commission for a period of 4 years from 13 November 2024.

Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, said:

The government thanks Baroness Falkner for her work chairing the EHRC, during which the Commission has supported businesses, intervened in strategic cases of discrimination to support victims and contributed to government policy on improving equalities. I look forward to her continuing this work throughout the next 12 months.

Notes to Editors

Keith Richards is a barrister and mediator who has been Chair of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee since 2014 .

The notice advertising the job of Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission will be advertised on the government's Public Appointments website.

The EHRC is an independent non-departmental public body, and the government will conduct a full open competition to recruit a new Chair, in line with the Governance Code for Public Appointments.