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CHAIR: Deputy mayor Debbie Weekes-Bernard

DEBBIE WEEKES-BERNARD will chair a new advisory board to help tackle inequality in the capital.

The board, which was launched by mayor of London Sadiq Khan today, will bring together diversity champions to shape and inform the mayor’s approach to driving forward fairness, diversity and equality in London.

It includes a breadth of intersectional experience across age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, faith, poverty and socio-economic status.

Weekes-Bernard, said: “I am proud that London is one of the most diverse and progressive cities in the world. Yet the fact remains that not all of our communities are able to access the opportunities that London has to offer and inequality is increasing.

“It is more important than ever that we tackle disadvantage and inequality across our city to ensure that all Londoners, regardless of background, have the opportunity to thrive. This means addressing some tricky, entrenched problems which people sometimes feel they cannot change – reducing child poverty, improving employment practices and removing barriers to educational attainment.

The board will play a vital role in the development of the mayor’s policies to reduce disadvantage and promote fairness in the capital. Their professional expertise will ensure City Hall is addressing and understanding the needs of all Londoners.

The mayor’s newly appointed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group includes:  
* Asma Shah, social entrepreneur

* Carole Easton, OBE, CEO, Young Women's Trust

* Ellen Clifford, campaigns and policy Manager, Inclusion London
* Harris Bokhari, OBE, founder of Patchwork Foundation

* Harri Weeks, The National LGB&T Partnership

* James Lee, consultant, Trust for London

* Kimberly McIntosh, policy officer, Runnymede Trust and Race on the Agenda

* Laks Mann, Metropolitan Police Service and co-founder, Gaysians

* Laura Marks, OBE, founder of Mitzvah Day and co-founder of Nisa-Nashim

* Lisa Power, MBE, consultant and speaker on sexual health and LGBT+ issues

* Maggi Ferncombe, Greater London regional secretary, Unison

* Megan Jarvie, head of Coram Family and Childcare

* Michael Chris Walsh, chair, Positive Ageing in London
* Nizam Uddin, senior head of Mosaic and Community Integration, The Prince’s Trust  

* Roger Harding, CEO, Reclaim

* Dr Ruth Owen OBE, CEO WhizzKids

* Samantha Mauger, CEO, Third Age Trust

* Tebussum Rashid, deputy chief executive, Black Training and Enterprise Group


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