Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) and the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) will hold a pre-appointment hearing with the Government’s preferred candidate for Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, on Tuesday, 1 July.
Meeting details
The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) and the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) will hold a pre-appointment hearing with the Government’s preferred candidate for Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, on Tuesday, 1 July.
The role is subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by both cross-party committees. During the hearing, the two Committees will assess the Government’s choice of Dr Stephenson, including by examining her relevant knowledge, skills and experience, and her independence.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory non-departmental public body established since 2007, by the Equality Act 2006. It has statutory duties and powers in relation to equality, diversity, and human rights. It has a range of enforcement powers in relation to equality law and is the UK’s UN-accredited National Human Rights Institution.
Dr Stephenson has 30 years' experience in equality and human rights, predominantly women's rights. She has led the Women's Budget Group since 2017; was a Commissioner on the Women's National Commission; and Director of the women’s rights organisation, the Fawcett Society. She has worked as a freelance consultant on equality and human rights projects in the UK and overseas, including for the British Council and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.