Appointment of the Chair of the Social Mobility Commission report published

The Women and Equalities Committee has published its report following the pre-appointment hearing with the Government’s preferred candidate for Chair of the Social Mobility Commission (SMC), Alun Francis OBE.

The Committee concludes that Mr Francis meets the criteria necessary to effectively fulfil the role of Chair of the SMC.

The report states: “Alun Francis is a pragmatic and judicious choice for the Chair of the Social Mobility Commission given his expertise and range of professional experience, and that he has already served as Deputy Chair and Interim Chair.

“Mr Francis is knowledgeable on matters of social mobility and has an impressive understanding of social mobility data. Mr Francis recognises the importance of political impartiality and has demonstrated his commitment to evidence-based strategies and recommendations.

“We find that Alun Francis meets the criteria for Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, we endorse his appointment and wish him well in the role.”

Mr Francis was appointed as Deputy Chair of the SMC by Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP, then Minister for Women and Equalities, in November 2021 and has acted as Interim Chair following the resignation of former Chair Katharine Birbalsingh CBE in January 2023.