Published: 10 Dec 2020
Following a competitive recruitment process with a strong field of candidates, Scotland Commissioner Dr Lesley Sawers announced the appointment of six new committee members.
These appointments will strengthen the Scotland committee’s expertise as former and current members conclude their terms, with the new appointees bringing a diversity of personal and professional experience to the table
The Committee - a statutory decision-making body - is responsible for ensuring the overall work of the Commission reflects the needs and priorities of the people of Scotland.
Scotland Commissioner Dr Lesley Sawers said:
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Charlie, Tatora, Lindsey and Mariam to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Scotland Committee. Their expertise and experience in striving for equality and for everyone to get a fair chance will be hugely valuable to the Commission’s work in Scotland.
“Looking ahead to 2022, we will welcome Peter and Johanna to the Committee and we are delighted to have their perspectives as we continue to work to make Scotland a more equal and fairer country for all.
“As we consider what our society looks like and the opportunities available to people in a post-pandemic era, it will be more critical than ever to advance equality and the Commission remains committed to standing up for freedom, compassion and justice in changing times.”
Scotland press contact details
For further information please email email Vonnie Sandlan or call on 07401 278778.
Notes to editors
- Further information on the Scotland committee.
- Committee members are appointed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission Board for an initial term, with the possibility of reappointment for a subsequent term. Committee members are paid £250 per day for approximately 12 days a year.
- The vacancies arise as former Committee member Professor Nicole Busby concluded her term of office and Calum Irving ended his term to take up a new full-time role earlier in 2020.
Current Committee members Naomi McAuliffe and Clare MacGillivray end their terms on 31 December 2020 after two terms. - Peter Kelly and Johanna Boyd will take up their appointment in January 2022.
Biographies of new appointees
From January 2021
Mariam Ahmed
Mariam works for a NGO providing advocacy for women experiencing domestic abuse and specialising in support of women from migrant and ethnic minority backgrounds. She is a Director for Scottish Women’s Aid, Chair of the Glendale Women’s Cafe and a member of the Scottish Minority Ethnic Women’s Network.
Charlie McMillan
Charlie McMillan is the Chief Executive of the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities. He has previously held senior roles in the third sector for leading disability, mental health, HIV, LGBT and children’s charities and as a Policy Implementation Manager for equalities in Scottish Government Health Department.
Lindsey Millen
Lindsey Millen is the Head of Policy for Close the Gap, a Scottish NGO specialising on women’s participation in the labour market. She has a wide background and experience of gender equality and in the union movement and is a board member of Rape Crisis Scotland
Tatora Mukushi
Tatora Mukushi is a Human Rights lawyer with a strong interest in, and experience of, developing the rights of destitute migrants. He currently leads work for Shelter Scotland on supporting migrant destitution and has previously worked for the Scottish Human Rights Commission and in various private practice.
From January 2022
Johanna Boyd
Johanna Boyd is a dual qualified English barrister and Scottish solicitor. She served as a the first woman leader of Stirling Council and during her tenure securing a multi-million pound City Region Deal and the first council in Scotland to introduce 600 hours of free childcare and significantly reduce the Council gender pay gap.
Peter Kelly
Peter Kelly is Director of the Poverty Alliance and has a background and experience in social and economic justice at a Scottish and international level. He was instrumental in the development of Living Wage Scotland initiative which now forms the basis of the Scottish Government’s Fair Work strategy, and has extensive board experience including serving as Vice President of the European Anti-Poverty Network.