Trevor Phillips is a leading broadcaster and public figure, best known for his acclaimed television work, and for serving as chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. He has also held several senior roles in both private and public sector bodies, including President of the Partnership Council at John Lewis Partnership and chairman of Green Park Diversity Analytics, and was the first chair of the London Assembly.
Phillips first came to national prominence as president of the National Union of Students in 1978, where he represented the Broad Left coalition. He later moved into broadcasting, working as a researcher for London Weekend Television, and later becoming head of current affairs. He worked as both a presenter and presenter at the ITV franchise, as well as working on projects for Channel 4 and the BBC. He has since become known for his widely praised documentaries including Britain’s Slave Trade and Windrush: A New Generation, and has won three Royal Television Society Awards.
In 2000, Phillips took up a seat in the newly-formed London Assembly, representing Labour and serving as its first chair. Three years later, he was appointed head of the Commission for Racial Equality, and later of its successor the Commission for Equality and Human Rights, responsible for combating discrimination and promoting human rights across England, Scotland and Wales. Among other roles, he has served as a trustee of the Social Mobility Foundation, was chairman of the London Arts Board, and has sat on the board of the Barbican Arts Centre and on the Council of Aldeburgh Music. He has been a regular guest on political and current affairs programmes such as The Andrew Marr Show, Good Morning Britain, Politics Live and Question Time, and has been appointed an OBE for services to broadcast journalism.