The Government has today announced the membership of its
Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities.
The Commission will be chaired by Dr Tony Sewell, an
international education consultant who is Head of Generating
Genius, a ground-breaking charity which works to ensure that
talented students from disadvantaged and diverse ethnic
backgrounds are positioned to excel in STEM careers. Amongst his
accomplishments Dr Sewell has been an international consultant in
education for the World Bank and Commonwealth Secretariat, a
board member of the Youth Justice Board for England & Wales,
and in 2013 he led the Mayor’s Education Inquiry into London
Schools which resulted in the creation of the London Schools
Excellence Fund, a programme which has helped London schools
achieve top grades for their students. Dr Sewell was awarded a
CBE in 2016 for his extensive work in Education.
The Commission is independent and will be comprised of esteemed
representatives from the fields of science, education,
broadcasting, economics, medicine, policing and community
organising.
Full list of commissioners:
• Dr Tony Sewell CBE (Chair), Head of charity Generating Genius
• Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE, Space Scientist and Educator.
Experienced broadcaster including co-presenter of BBC’s ‘The Sky
at Night’
• Keith Fraser, Chair of the Youth Justice Board for England and
Wales and former police superintendent
• Dr Samir Shah CBE, CEO of Juniper TV, former BBC journalist and
former chair of the race relations think tank, The Runnymede
Trust
• Lord Ajay Kakkar, Professor of Surgery at University College
London, Director of the Thrombosis Research Institute, chair of
the Judicial Appointments Commission, chair of the King’s Fund
• Dr Dambisa Moyo, internationally renowned economist and author,
board member of Chevron Corporation and the 3M Company
• Martyn Oliver, Chief Executive Officer of Outwood Grange
Academies Trust, one of the largest multi-academy trusts
operating in the North and Midlands
• Naureen Khalid, experienced school governor and co-founder of
the dedicated online national school governor forum, UkGovChat
• Aftab Chughtai MBE, Businessman, co-founder of the campaign
group Muslims for Britain, member of the Grenfell Tower Taskforce
and Chair of West Midlands Police Independent Advisory Group
• Mercy Muroki, Senior Policy Researcher, Commentator, and
Columnist.
Co-opted members to attend meetings relevant to their work on the
Windrush Working Group:
• Kunle Olulode, Director, Voice4Change, a national membership
organisation championing the voice of the BAME voluntary,
community and social enterprise sector
• Blondel Cluff CBE, Chief Executive of the West India Committee
and Chair of Heritage England’s London Committee
The Commission will aim to report its findings on the priority
areas of health, education, criminal justice and employment by
the end of this year.
The work of the Commission will report to the Prime Minister. The
Sponsoring Minister for this work is , Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and Equalities
Minister.
Prime Minister said:
“Today I am establishing an independent Commission on Race and
Ethnic Disparities. This cross-government Commission will examine
inequality in the UK, across the whole population.
“I am thrilled we have assembled a group of ten talented and
diverse commissioners, who each bring a wealth of experience from
across a range of important sectors.
“This new Commission will be led by Dr Tony Sewell CBE. Tony has
supported many young people from diverse backgrounds into STEM
careers. I know well how his work has improved access to
education across London, and I am confident that he shares my
commitment to maximising opportunity for all.
“The Commission will be inclusive, undertaking research and
inviting submissions where necessary. It will set a positive
agenda for change.”
Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and Equalities Minister
said:
“This Commission demonstrates this government’s mission to level
up opportunity for everyone whatever their background. Our expert
Chair and Commissioners will make evidence-based recommendations
to change lives for the better. Their work will be crucial in
informing and improving the national conversation on race.”
Dr Tony Sewell CBE, Chair of the Commission on Race and
Ethnic Disparities said:
“I am delighted to be chairing this new Commission on Race and
Ethnic Disparities. I have spent my entire career in education
striving to help all students achieve their full potential. I
know however that inequality exists, and I am committed to
working with my fellow commissioners to understand why. Together
we will set out recommendations for action across Government,
public bodies and the private sector, and will seek to inform a
national conversation about race, led by the evidence.”
