John Biggs

The Labour leader of Tower Hamlets council, pictured above, was first elected in June 2015 when he replaced Lutfur Rahman. Mayor Biggs was re-elected in May this year.

Before serving as council leader, John Biggs was the London Assembly Member for the City & East constituency for 16 years, from 2000-2016. He also chaired the assembly’s budget and audit committees.

Baroness King

Oona King was one of the earliest supporters of Rich Mix. She was appointed as a trustee in 2002, soon after the charity was incorporated, and served as chair of the board until 2009. She stepped down as a trustee in 2010 and continues her relationship with the charity as a patron. 

She has been a Labour peer since 2011, but on a leave of absence since November 2016. Before becoming a peer, Ms King was the MP for Bethnal Green from 1997-2005.

She is currently the director of Google’s diversity strategy and previously worked as YouTube’s director of diversity. 

Michael Keith

The current chair of Rich Mix, Mr Keith has served in the role since 2009 after Oona King stepped down. He was appointed as a trustee in 2002.

Mr Keith has served as a Labour leader of Tower Hamlets council twice, in 2002 and 2005-2006. He is the director of the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society at the University of Oxford.

Denise Jones

Ms Jones is a trustee at Rich Mix and, like Baroness King and Mr Keith, has been with the charity since its inception in 2002. She has also been a Tower Hamlets councillor since 1994, has served as deputy leader from 2002-2006, and council leader from 2006-2008. 

She is currently the cabinet member for adults, health and wellbeing.

Greg Clark and Sajid Javid

Mr Clark is the current business secretary but he served as the communities secretary from May 2015-July 2016. Mr Javid was then appointed to the role and served until April 2018 when he was made home secretary. Both were responsible for overseeing the Government’s intervention at Tower Hamlets from December 2014-March 2017.

Sir Ken Knight

Sir Ken was the Government’s lead commissioner during its intervention at the council. He also chairs the expert panel set up to advise the Government on fire safety in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire. 

 

 

Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Archive/PA Images