The chief executive of a major academy chain has been appointed to the government’s newly formed Commission on Race and Ethnic disparities.
Martyn Oliver, the head of Outwood Grange Academies Trust, is among ten commissioners who have been announced by Downing Street today.
Prime minister Boris Johnson said the new commission would examine inequality across the country.
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Profile: Martyn Oliver
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It has been set up following Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in the United States.
The commission will be chaired by Dr Tony Sewell, an education consultant who heads the Generating Genius charity, which works with pupils from ethnic minorities to help them excel in careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.
School governor Naureen Khalid, who is the co-founder of the online national school governor forum UkGovChat is also among the commissioners announced today.
Mr Oliver leads Outwood Grange Academies Trust, which runs 32 schools mainly in the North of England.
In the past year, he has also become a prominent critic of the new Ofsted inspection framework, voicing concerns that it will not work for disadvantaged pupils.
Dr Sewell has been an international consultant in education for the World Bank and Commonwealth Secretariat, and in 2013 he led the Mayor’s Education Inquiry into London Schools.
Earlier this year, Dr Sewell revealed that the Generating Genius charity would have a new focus - supporting white working-class young people from the North and Midlands.
Speaking in January he said: “We will seek diamonds from areas like Burnley, Wakefield, Dewsbury, Workington and Bolsover. They are the children now at the bottom of the pile academically.”
Announcing the commission, Mr Johnson said: “Today, I am establishing an independent Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities. This cross-government Commission will examine inequality in the UK, across the whole population.
“I am thrilled we have assembled a group of ten talented and diverse commissioners, who each bring a wealth of experience from across a range of important sectors.
“This new Commission will be led by Dr Tony Sewell. Tony has supported many young people from diverse backgrounds into STEM careers. I know well how his work has improved access to education across London, and I am confident that he shares my commitment to maximising opportunity for all.”
Mr Sewell said: “I have spent my entire career in education striving to help all students achieve their full potential.
“I know however that inequality exists, and I am committed to working with my fellow commissioners to understand why.
“Together we will set out recommendations for action across government, public bodies and the private sector, and will seek to inform a national conversation about race, led by the evidence.”
