EHRC appoints new members to its Disability Committee
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has appointed seven new members to its Disability Committee to steer its crucial work to tackle discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for disabled people. The Disability Committee is a statutory decision-making committee which plays a key role in the Commission’s governance. Significant aspects of its work over the next year will be contributing to development of the Commission’s next strategic plan, supporting delivery of “Is Britain Fairer?” - the Commission’s periodic review of Britain’s progress on equality and human rights, and informing the UK’s forthcoming examination under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled People.
Following an independent review in 2013 it was decided that the Disability Committee’s statutory status should cease in 2017 and it should be replaced by a strategic advisory group.
The new members are:
Rachel Perkins
Rachel was Chair of Equality 2025 and has 30 years’ experience of using and working in NHS mental health services. She is an outstanding academic with an OBE for services to mental health.
Saghir Alam
Saghir is a current member of the Disability Committee. Saghir is Chair of Action on Disability Development, UK BME Council and Faith and Education Institute. He is patron of Include Me Too and Ethnic Disabled Children Society; has influence on and with BME groups, plus a strong interest in dual discrimination issues offers a unique and essential perspective to the Committee.
Michele Scattergood
As CEO of Breakthrough UK Michele has an unrivalled credibility in the Disabled Persons sector. She is a strong communicator with experience of effecting change in partnership with public sector organisations.
Marc Bush
Dr Marc Bush; Director of Policy & Intelligence at Healthwatch England, former Head of Research and Public Policy at Scope, Marc has a distinguished academic background in autism and a reputation for innovation and strong strategic thinking.
Anna Lawson
Professor Anna Lawson has extensive experience of working on Boards and is coordinator of the accessibility strand of the EU Academic Network of Experts on Disability (ANED) and also participated in the ad hoc committee which drafted the CRPD. Anna is at the top of her field in the area of disability and human rights.
Helen Chipchase
Helen brings essential private sector experience. She has experience as Interim Head of Diversity at Sainsbury’s and also has extensive experience as Disability and Carers Lead at BT Diversity Centre of Expertise.
Rob Greig
Chief Executive National Development Team for Inclusion. Rob brings particular expertise in the area of learning disabilities where he has extensive knowledge and networks. He was previously National Director: Learning Disabilities at Department of Health where he led the national implementation and delivery of cross-government White Paper – Valuing People.
About The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006. It operates as an independent body to protect and promote equality and human rights in Great Britain. It aims to encourage equality and diversity, eliminate unlawful discrimination, and promote and protect human rights. The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. It encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998 and is accredited by the UN as an ‘A status’ National Human Rights Institution.
