Trevor Phillips is to be the new chair of the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, announced today. The CRE is the statutory body working to promote equality of opportunity and the elimination of race discrimination within Britain. Mr Phillips will lead the CRE for the next four years, working a four day, as it continues to meet the challenge of race equality, while strengthening and focusing its internal organisation.

Mr Phillips appointment follows the resignation of former chair Gurbux Singh in August 2002, following alleged drunken episode at Lord's Cricket Ground.

Mr Blunkett said, "this is a important time for race equality in Britain. It is imperative that in these current times, we maintain good race relations and social cohesion so that we can take advantage of the contribution that all communities make to society. We have a modern race agenda that recognises that tackling poverty and disadvantage are crucial if we are to achieve race equality. And this vision of a modern Britain, where all people are free to reach their full potential and play an active part in society, needs a system geared up to deliver real improvements to people's lives.

Mr Phillips welcomed the appointment and said, "I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the Commission for Racial Equality in its twin tasks of helping to bring all our diverse communities together and in rooting out racism and discrimination in all its forms. There are few more significant challenges in our society, and I look forward to working with the Commissioners and staff of a rejuvenated CRE."

Mr Philips will take over from Beverley Bernard who has been the acting chair since August 2002. He is currently chair of the London Assembly and managing director of Pepper Productions. He is a trustee of the Runnymede Trust and was chair of the Trust from 1993 to 1998.

ABOUT TREVOR PHILLIPS OBE

Trevor Phillips was educated in the Caribbean and England. Whilst completing his Chemistry degree he became involved in the National Union of Students and was elected president of the NUS in 1978. After leaving university he started his career in TV, initially as a researcher in LWT rising to become the Head of Current Affairs, a well-known face for both LWT and the BBC.

Throughout his adult life he has been involved in campaigning on equality issues. He successfully initiated the Windrush season, which raised the profile of Black History.

Trevor has combined his career in the media with voluntary work. He has been Chair of the Runnymede Trust and Chair of the NHS Inequalities Task Force. He is a Council Member of the Royal Television Society. Trevor is a member of the DTLR Urban Sounding Board and of the Housing Corporation Sounding Board. He is a trustee of the Bernie Grant Centre and of the Ethnic Minorities Foundation. He is on the Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations

Trevor was elected to the Chair of the London Assembly in May 2000. His GLA responsibilities include:

• Chair of London Assembly
• Deputy Chair of Public Services Committee
• Member of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority
• Member of London Health Commission
• Member of London Tourist Board
• Chair of Appointments Committee
• Portfolio also covers Budget, Health, Education and Social Inclusion.

Click here to visit the Commission for Racial Equality website.

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