David Isaac Explained

David Isaac, CBE is a British solicitor and Provost of Worcester College, Oxford, where he took office in July 2021.[1] He was previously a partner at law firm Pinsent Masons. He was appointed as the chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission in 2016,[2] serving in that capacity until August 2020. He is also chair of the Court of Governors at University of the Arts London (2018–present).[3] He was previously chair of Stonewall from 2003 to 2012.[4] He was a director of the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund (2005–2014), the Big Lottery Fund (2014–2018),[5] Black Mountains College (2019–20) and a trustee of 14-18 NOW (2016–2019).[6]

Isaac was appointed a CBE in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to equality and diversity[7] and was ranked 36th in the OUTstanding top 100 LGBT executives in October 2018.[8]

Early life

Isaac was born in Wales and attended King Henry VIII Grammar School in Abergavenny. He went on to study law at Trinity Hall, Cambridge and socio-legal studies at Wolfson College, Oxford. He attended the College of Law in Guildford to pass the Solicitors Final Examination (1979–80).

Pinsent Masons

Isaac was a partner at Pinsent Masons law firm from 2000 to 2021. He was Head of the firm's advanced manufacturing and technology sector from 2014 – 2019 and Chair of the Pinsent Masons' Diversity and Inclusion group.

Equality and Human Rights Commission

Isaac was appointed as Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission in 2016.[9] He said that the Commission would use its legal powers more,[10] do more for disability rights[11] and make sure that human rights were protected during Brexit.[12]

His tenure came to an end in August 2020, and his initial replacement was interim chair Caroline Waters (previously deputy chair).[13] [14] [15]

In 2021 Isaac claimed that the Equality and Human Rights Commission was "being undermined by political pressure" by the Second Johnson ministry.[16]

Stonewall

During his time as chair of Stonewall, the charity lobbied to secure legislative change, such as the abolition of Section 28 and the introduction of Civil Partnerships.[17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1 Jul 2021. Welcome to our Provost David Isaac CBE. Worcester College, Oxford.
  2. Web site: EHRC appointments. GOV.UK. en. 2019-12-16.
  3. Web site: David Isaac CBE named new Chair of Governors. UAL. 2019-01-08. UAL. 2019-12-16.
  4. Web site: Government nominates former Stonewall chair to head equality commission. 2016-03-18. PinkNews . en-GB. 2019-12-16.
  5. Web site: Three Big Lottery Fund board members appointed. GOV.UK. 2019-12-16.
  6. Web site: Team and Board. 2019-12-16. 14-18 NOW.
  7. Web site: Birthday Honours 2011: CSV - GOV.UK. www.gov.uk. en. 2019-12-16. 25 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190725051049/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/416583/BD_2011.csv/preview. dead.
  8. Web site: The OUTstanding lists 2018: LGBT+ leaders and allies. 2018-10-25. Financial Times. en-GB. 2019-12-16.
  9. News: New equalities head would be biased against Christians, claim campaigners. Sawer. Patrick. 2016-03-19. 2019-12-16. en-GB. 0307-1235.
  10. Web site: EHRC has become 'more muscular' on Equality Act enforcement, says chair. 2019-06-06. Disability News Service. en-GB. 2019-12-16.
  11. News: David Isaac: 'Disabled people face huge barriers'. Bowcott. Owen. 2016-07-06. The Guardian. 2019-12-16. en-GB. 0261-3077.
  12. News: Brexit bill leaves a hole in UK human rights. Doward. Jamie. 2018-01-13. The Observer. 2019-12-16. en-GB. 0029-7712.
  13. Web site: Recruitment starts for new EHRC Chair and board members . GOV.UK . 2020-06-29 . 2020-10-31.
  14. Web site: Kotecha . Sima . Government 'failing to prioritise tackling racism', says watchdog boss . BBC News . 2020-07-28 . 2020-10-31.
  15. Web site: Ng . Kate . 'Toxic' debate around transgender rights harms the UK, says human rights expert . The Independent . 2020-08-09 . 2020-10-31.
  16. Web site: EHRC undermined by pressure to support No 10 agenda, says ex-chair . The Guardian . 18 January 2021 . 5 February 2021.
  17. News: New equalities head would be biased against Christians, claim campaigners. Sawer. Patrick. 2016-03-19. 2019-12-16. en-GB. 0307-1235.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "David Isaac".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.