The Staff Team

You can contact BIHR via our main switchboard (0207 882 5850) or on email ([email protected])

Director: Sanchita Hosali

Sanchita is a recognised expert in human rights and equality law, policy and practice, with over fifteen years of working both in the UK and internationally. As Director at BIHR Sanchita provides strategic leadership and management, overseeing operations, with a lead role in policy and campaigning. Sanchita convenes an innovative new clinical module at QMUL School of Law, "Securing human rights" which provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to gain practical learning and experience of using human rights standards within the charity sector. Find out more about BIHR's relationship with QMUL here.

Sanchita has a particular expertise in addressing violence against women from a human rights perspective, having worked on a number of UK and international projects on these issues, including on "honour" crimes. She has been an academic researcher, worked as a freelance researcher, and lead policy and strategy development, in a variety of positions at organisations including Nottingham University, SOAS, Greater London Domestic Violence Project, Matrix Chambers, and Rights of Women. Sanchita has previously worked on human rights in the United Nations system, both at the Secretariat in New York and the World Health Organisation in Geneva. 

Sanchita has been recently appointed as a Trustee of the Centre for Women's Justice. She was previously the Chair of Rights of Women, a national legal organisation, overseeing the organisation's constitution as a charity. Sanchita holds an LLM Human Rights Law and an LLB in Law.

Policy and Programmes Manager: Sophie Howes

Sophie joined BIHR in January 2018, having worked for the organisation previously from 2012-2015. Prior to returning to BIHR, Sophie worked as a Senior Advocate at Victoria Legal Aid in Melbourne, Australia, helping to establish a flagship advocacy service for people who are subject to compulsory mental health treatment. In 2017 Sophie was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to complete an Executive Master in Public Administration for Global Policy Leaders at New York University and University College London. Sophie is a Trustee of the Equality and Diversity Forum.

Human Rights Officer: Carlyn Miller

Carlyn joined BIHR after 16 months as a Policy Officer in the Care, Support and Rights Division of the Scottish Government. Prior to this Carlyn worked as a Human Rights Project Lead for Scottish Care supporting health and social care providers across Scotland to embed a human rights based approach. Carlyn holds a First Class MA Joint Honours degree in Politics and International Relations and her dissertation on the rights of marginalized groups won her a Scholarship to complete her MSc in Human Rights and International Politics at the University of Glasgow. Prior to this Carlyn spent three years working internationally on human rights issues in India, Nepal and South Korea.

Human Rights Officer: Leonard Lewis

Leonard joined BIHR in July 2018, having previously worked for the organisation as a Research Assistant from 2015-17. Prior to joining BIHR, Leonard worked extensively on human rights and international affairs at the International Bar Association and the AIRE Centre, as well as access to justice issues as a Caseworker at the Bar Pro Bono Unit. Leonard holds an LLM in International Law from University College London.                                                                                                                                                              

Administration & Finance Assistant: Rephael Akpan

Rephael joined the BIHR in August 2018, after completing a two month voluntary role in various regions across Peru. Previously Rephael worked within the Finance Team at MVision Private Equity Advisers for three years as an Accounts Assistant; primarily focusing on Fund Accounting and Fund Administration. Prior to this Rephael worked within Financial Services, initially at BDO as an Audit Junior and then with the Royal Bank of Scotland in the Global Restructuring Group. Rephael graduated from City and Islington College in 2012, and holds a Certificate in Finance Accounting and Business (CFAB) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants England & Wales (ICAEW).