Government extends term of chair of equalities watchdog, starts process of recruiting successor

The Government has extended Baroness Falkner’s term as Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) by one year to 30 November 2025.

It has also begun a recruitment campaign for a new Chair, 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 meanwhile appointed Keith Richards, a barrister and mediator who has been Chair of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee since 2014, to the Commission for a period of four years from 13 November 2024.

Bridget Phillipson, 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.”