Equality and Human Rights Commission

30 July 2010

Clare Cozens, the Commission’s Equality Act Non-Statutory Guidance Manager, tragically died on 27 July 2010. The guidance that we are publishing today is the result of all Clare’s hard work and dedication over the past 12 months.

Throughout a distinguished career, Clare matched a personal passion for equality with professional achievement.  Where most of us would be happy to call ourselves an expert in one field of endeavour, Clare excelled in many. She was a trained barrister; she had an acute understanding of political affairs; she expressed herself with clarity, force and style.  

The equality movement was fortunate enough to benefit from Clare’s remarkable talents over the years.  She worked for several years in the Equal Opportunities Commission as director of social affairs.  She was a special adviser to Margaret Jay as Minister for Women, and later to Ruth Kelly. It was while working for Ruth that she took on responsibility for shaping the Discrimination Law Review which would lay the foundations for the Equality Act 2010.  Subsequently she was the Commission’s political advisor during its first few months, helping to establish its presence. And most recently she was responsible for the production and editing of the Commission’s Equality Act Non Statutory guidance.

Those of us working on equality count ourselves lucky that Clare chose to dedicate her remarkable talents to our mission. 

At the Equal Opportunities Commission, as a special adviser, and in her more recent work with the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Clare made a major contribution to the development of British equality law and practice, not least in helping shape the Equality Act 2010.

Clare’s work was incredibly important to her and she would have wanted the work she began on the Equality Act guidance to come to fruition and to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives for years to come.

Those who knew Clare best saw not only the consummate professional but a woman with a rich and rewarding life, and who was committed to giving back to society. Clare was particularly passionate about her charitable work in South London. 

Clare was a long time supporter of Camberwell Choir School.  The School is a charity which gives children in South London the chance to learn a musical instrument. It was a cause that Clare, herself a talented musician, believed in passionately. It has been chosen as a focus to remember Clare and celebrate her life. You can make a donation and leave a message here: http://www.justgiving.com/clarecozens .

Clare will be greatly missed by many and our thoughts go out to her husband Declan, family and friends at this very sad time.