The new commissioners come from all walks of life and
include leaders from the fields of business, education and
technology. Many have their own personal stories of how
they have overcome barriers to success and now work to
improve social mobility in their sectors.
Education Secretary said:
Dame Martina and I share a vision for a country where we
raise our ambitions for every child, whatever their
background. Education is at the heart of this, giving
everyone the chance to fulfil the spark of potential that
exists in them.
This new team of commissioners brings together
established business men and women, policy makers,
academics and young people all with important
perspectives to bring. The Social Mobility Commission
will benefit from the expertise of this diverse mix of
individuals, all of whom will bring their own unique
stamp to what social mobility means in their lives.
I look forward to working with the new Commission to make
our shared vision a reality.
The appointments follow approval from the Prime Minister
and the Public Appointments Committee, and include the
editor of a women’s magazine Cosmopolitan, a university
professor, a headteacher and two youth ambassadors.
Dame Martina Milburn, Chair of the Social Mobility
Commission said:
I am delighted to welcome a record number of Social
Mobility Commissioners who will work to make England a
fairer society.
This is a group of people with real-life experiences of
social mobility to help challenge government, business,
and society as a whole, to create a fair system where
people can thrive.
Many of our new Commissioners had modest starts in life
and know the barriers that young people must overcome to
become successful. They are also individuals with the
skills, resources, and energy to drive real change around
the country, united by a passion for fairness and an
ability to make a real difference to people’s lives.
The Social Mobility Commissioners will take up their new
roles next month with an event planned to mark the
Commission’s relaunch on 11 December.
Their appointments build on Dame Martina’s vision to bring
greater ethnic, gender and age diversity to Commission by
tapping into a diverse range of backgrounds.
Younger commissioners, as well as members based outside
London and the south east will make sure its work is better
represented regionally, helping to raise its profile and
influence young people directly.
Joining Dame Martina as commissioners will be:
- Alastair da Costa, Chair of Capital City College Group
- Liz Williams, Group Director of Digital Society at BT
- Farrah Storr, Editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan
- Harvey Matthewson, Volunteer, and part-time Sales
Assistant at Marks & Spencer
- Jessica Oghenegweke, Project co-ordinator at the Diana
Award
- Jody Walker, Senior Vice President at TJX Europe (TK
Maxx and Home Sense in the UK)
- Pippa Dunn, Founder of Broody, helping entrepreneurs
and start ups
- Saeed Atcha, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of
Xplode magazine
- Sam Friedman, Associate Professor in Sociology at
London School of Economics
- Sammy Wright, Vice Principal of Southmoor Academy,
Sunderland
- Sandra Wallace, Managing Partner UK and Joint Managing
Director Europe at DLA Piper
- Steven Cooper, Outgoing Chief Executive Officer of
Barclaycard Business
