Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard joins Praxis as new Chair of Board of Trustees

We are delighted to welcome our new Chair of Trustees, Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard who joins the Board in February. Debbie brings a fantastic array of skills, knowledge and experience, as well as a passion for social justice and the work of Praxis.

Debbie is Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, chairs the Mayor’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory group, as well as London’s Strategic Migration Panel and is co-chair of the Diversity in the Public Realm Commission. She is also a member of the TUC Anti-Racism Taskforce and the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Systemic Inequalities and Social Cohesion.

She is replacing Barbara Roche, who contributed significantly to the success and growth of the organisation during her nine years as chair and who led the board with skill, wisdom, integrity and kindness, always focussed on effective delivery of our charitable objectives.

On retiring from the Board, Barbara said: “It has been a great privilege to chair Praxis for the last nine years. It is such a wonderful organisation and I have really valued the opportunity to work with service users, trustees, the CEO, staff and volunteers.

I am absolutely delighted that Debbie will be the new Chair. Debbie has had an outstanding career and brings a wealth of experience to the role. I know that Praxis is going to go from strength to strength under her leadership.”

On joining Praxis, Debbie said: “I’m both honoured and delighted to be taking on the role of Chair of the Praxis Board. It is an organisation that gives representation and voice to those who have chosen to settle here in the UK and does a hugely important job of enabling migrants, refugees and those seeking asylum to live their lives here in London in a way that gives them the dignity they deserve and to do so free from discrimination. I am committed to ensuring their work continues to have great impact from the advocacy their amazing service users engage in, to the advice and guidance they provide for those who rely on their support.  This is an important moment to be involved in work on migration and I am looking forward to working with a great Board and an amazing team of staff and volunteers.”