COMMISSIONERS TO TACKLE DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION
14 Mar 2006 09:45 AM
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton, has announced
the reappointment of five commissioners to the Disability Rights
Commission (DRC).
Saghir Alam, Susan Daniels OBE, Richard Exell OBE, Eve Rank, and
Jenny White MBE have been appointed to serve on the DRC for a further
two-year term from 1 April 2006.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton, said:
"I am very pleased to announce the reappointment of five
Commissioners to the Disability Rights Commission. The Commission has
an important and extensive programme of work ahead, as we implement
the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 and move towards the
establishment of a Commission for Equality and Human Rights.
"These Commissioners have already made significant contributions to
the work of the Commission and their reappointment will ensure that
the DRC has the continuity and blend of expertise that it needs over
the next two years to realise its very ambitious agenda."
The Commission's Chair, Bert Massie said:
"Today's announcement is excellent news for the DRC. These
reappointments mean that the Commission will continue to have the
right balance of skills and experience, which will enable it to build
on its achievements and take forward its challenging programme of
work.
"I very much look forward to continuing to work with them as we drive
forward our agenda to transform the lives of all disabled people and
prepare for the hand-over to the Commission for Equality and Human
Rights."
Notes to editors
1. Biographies of the appointees:
Saghir Alam works for a firm of Solicitors practising Business and
Medical Law. He is a Non-Executive Director of Rotherham District
General Hospitals NHS Trust and Trustee for Investment Funds; Patron
of National Ethnic Disabled Children's Society; Special Advisor to
Connecting for Development a national organisation working on
international development; a Member of Lord Chancellor's Consultative
Forum; a Member of NHS Modernisation Agency Advisory Board; a Member
of BBC Advisory Council; and a member of Race and Diversity Panel of
Centrex - National Police Training Authority, a ministerial
appointment for which he receives a daily fee of £200.00 when on
Panel business. He is also a Trained Mediator in Business and
Commercial Disputes and the Chairman of Yorkshire Trust Cricket Club.
Saghir Alam has held a number of additional senior positions notably
Board Member - National Probation Service for England & Wales,
Vice-Chair Standards Board, Member of Objective 1 Business
Competitiveness and Innovation Priority Group, a Diversity Advisor to
the Home Office and an Elected Member of Chamber-TEC Business
Representation Council.
Susan Daniels OBE is currently Chief Executive of the National Deaf
Children's Society. She is a Governor of Mary Hare Grammar School for
Deaf Children. Amongst other voluntary appointments, she chairs a
joint study and monitoring group on teacher of the deaf training; is
currently Chair of the Board of Trustees of the UK Council on
Deafness (UKCOD); is a key member of the Department of Health
Universal New Born Hearing Screening Programme; Department for
Education and Skills National Steering Group of the SEN Regional
Partnerships; and the Department of Education and Skills Steering
Committee of the Early Support Pilot Programme (ESPP).
Richard Exell OBE works for the Trades Union Congress, specialising
in social security issues. He is a member of the Social Security
Advisory Committee, a ministerial appointment for which he receives a
daily fee of £205.00 when on Committee business; the Fabian
Commission on Life Chances and Child Poverty. He was previously a
Member of the Board of the Disability Alliance and the Board of End
Child Poverty. He was also a member of the union team that negotiated
the European Directive on parental leave and formerly a member of the
National Advisory Council on the Employment of People with
Disabilities.
Eve Rank has extensive experience in representing the needs and
interests of people with learning disabilities and in establishing
self-advocacy groups.
Jenny White MBE was formerly Legal Advisor at the Electricity
Association, and now works independently. She chaired the CBI
Disability Working Group when the DDA was enacted, and served on the
National Disability Council. Previously on the Board of the Royal
National Institute for Deaf People, she is currently a trustee of the
Centre for Accessible Environments and a lay member of the research
ethics committee for East London and the City.
2. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no
part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the
original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for
appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public.
Richard Exell is a Labour member of Brightlingsea Town Council. None
of the other four appointees has undertaken any political activity in
the last five years.
3. The DRC is an independent body set up by statute and funded by
Government. There are currently 14 Commissioners, including the
Chairman. The maximum number permitted under the DRC Act is 15. The
Commission's functions are to work towards the elimination of
discrimination against disabled people, promote the equalisation of
opportunities for disabled people, promote good practice to employers
and service providers, provide information and advice about the
Disability Discrimination Act, and advise the Government on a range
of policy issues within its remit.
4. The appointments have been made in accordance with the principles
of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice for
Appointments to Public Bodies.
5. The Commissioners will contribute to Commission and ad hoc working
group meetings which determine the DRC's overall policy; champion the
work of the DRC by speaking and representing the Commission at
conferences and other events; and network extensively with the DRC's
key stakeholders and fellow Commissioners.
6. Commissioner appointments are part-time and Commissioners are paid
a fee, currently £150, for each day spent on Commission business, as
well as travel and other expenses.
Public enquiries 020 7712 2171
Website www.dwp.gov.uk
DRC Helpline 08457 622 633
Textphone 08457 622 644
Website www.drc-gb.org