Race Equality Panel
Greater Manchester’s Race Equality Panel aims to tackle inequality, injustice and discrimination in society, through the advancement of equity, fairness and positive relationships in public organisations and the services they deliver.
The Panel does this by:
- Advising the Mayor of Greater Manchester and the Greater Manchester Lead for Ageing and Equalities of the challenges and opportunities faced by people linked to their race or ethnicity.
- Holding to account political leaders for tackling the systemic and institutional prejudice that causes inequality.
- Supporting the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and its public, private and voluntary sector partners, to develop effective solutions to these issues.
Mayor Andy Burnham pledged to set up the panel following the Shared Future cohesion summit held in July 2019. A series of listening events took place with ethnic minority representatives to define the panel’s scope and recruitment took place in autumn 2020. The panel met for the first time in December 2020.
The panel’s remit includes:
- Educational inequalities and achievement
- Employment and labour market inequalities
- Financial inclusion and poverty
- Hate crime and preventing discrimination
- Health and wellbeing inequality
- Housing and homelessness, including hidden homelessness
The Panel will strengthen the voice of people from different race and ethnic backgrounds in shaping and influencing policy development, decisions and delivery.
It will oversee the progress of public agencies in tackling inequality, tracking agreements to improve equity and providing insight to inform new ways of working. In addition, the panel will work collaboratively with public service officers to design new ways of working, which positively uses the assets, strengths and resources in our community, engages partners and local people at the earliest possible stage, and prioritises equitable access and tackling inequality in their intended outcomes.
The Race Equality Panel promotes positive role models, particularly in leadership positions, public services, civic society and with the business community, and will be visible in communities and in public life, reflecting the skills, knowledge and experience of a diverse range of ethnic communities.
New Race Equality Panel meets for the first time (news story)
For further information on the Race Equality Panel please contact Adrian.Bates@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk.
Panel members
Joined the British Muslim Heritage Centre (April 2019) as the chief executive officer from Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership; also a former cohort director for the Nye Bevan Leadership Programme for the University of Manchester.
Secondary headteacher of a large, diverse school in Rochdale; and has worked in education across Manchester and Salford secondary schools since 1998.
Qualified psychotherapist, works with women fleeing domestic abuse, with homeless people; and encourages and mentors women from ethnic minority women to engage in healthy eating and in improving their lives.
Lawyer committed to equality and making faith a force for good.
Champion for addressing health inequities and the wider determinants to improve health.
Equalities warrior, trainer and public speaker in race equality and diversity, specialising in people’s experiences in work as well as society; 25 years’ employment law experience in trade unions; specialist in women sexual violence; personal performance coach; child and youth work manager.
Honorary vice president of the British Medical Association and passionate about equality and diversity.
Social psychologist, skilled expert in diversity and integration; lifelong campaigner for equal access to public services for all.
Led awareness raising of the Bosnian genocide across the region; and a 35 year career and experience in healthcare, education, welfare and a strong involvement in interfaith dialogue.
Worked within the domestic abuse field for over 20 years; passionate about raising awareness of the causes and consequences of violence against women from ethnic minority backgrounds, working to change the attitudes and behaviours that tolerate and perpetuate violence and gender inequality.
Passionate about empowering communities and individuals by focusing on their assets and achievements.
Senior lecturer in clinical psychology and has experience working in mental health services in the NHS.
PhD candidate and activist; research and activism centres around youth experiences of violence and trauma, racial literacy, anti-racist education and LGBTQ people of colour’s experiences.
Born in Iraq/Baghdad, lived in Manchester for over 35 years, liaising with other communities to promote better understanding and contribute to the tackling of discrimination and prejudice
Everyday changemaker, inspirational motivator educating services and communities about equality and cultural issues, helping people to develop a conscious mind about equality and its impact, and creating platforms that create opportunities within the Black community.
Worked in youth and community work for various organisations across Manchester over the last 12 years, incredibly passionate about creating opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and using sport to drive social change.
Senior workforce and organisational development and Inclusion professional in the health and care sector. Originally from West Bengal, India, passionate about intersectionality and understanding how multiple forms of inequality or disadvantage sometimes compound themselves and create obstacles that are not clearly understood.
Community leader, academician and entrepreneur who is passionate about making a contribution to society to make people realise their full potential and live a positive harmonious life.
Background in teaching over a 20-year period, in post-16 education, special educational needs and with disadvantaged groups, lifelong learning, and as an equality and diversity consultant.
Youth worker with 10 years’ experience, with a passion for grassroots community work, supporting and promoting community consultations to drive policy development and implementation, ensuring that lived experiences are valued and central in decision making, delivery and evaluation processes.
Middle Eastern immigrant, raised and educated in Manchester since the age of three months old; working with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds; committed trade unionist.
IT professional and member of the Sikh community in Manchester for more than 30 years.
Chief executive of Wai Yin, which supports the Chinese and South East-Asian community.
Academic researcher from a minority ethnic background, with expertise specifically within the fields of the sociology of ‘race’ and ethnicity and health and wellbeing inequalities.