Meet the Board of the British Institute of Human Rights! Below find out more about our Trustees, who they are, what they do, and why they provide their invaluable support to BIHR. 

Sir Nicolas Bratza, Chair of the Board of Trustees

Sir Nicolas is the former President of the European Court of Human Rights, where he was a judge for over 14 years, elected in respect of the UK. Sir Nicolas was in private practice at the Bar of England and Wales from 1969 until 1998, specialising in commercial law, public law and human rights law. Sir Nicolas’ incomparable human rights experience and expertise is an invaluable source of advice, guidance and inspiration for BIHR.

Click on the above image or here to watch Sir Nicolas, speaking at our 2020 Human Rights Day reception, discussing the importance of the Human Rights Act for people in the UK.

You can also watch Sir Nicolas discussing the importance of our Human Rights Act and the European Convention system in a Channel 4 news piece here.

Mark Hilton, Treasurer and Trustee

Mark is Chief of Staff at The Elders. Prior to joining The Elders in May 2013, Mark was the Head of the Director-General’s office at the International Planned Parenthood Federation. Mark also served in the RAF at both overseas and UK locations in a wide variety of roles. Mark has a BSc in International Relations and MSc’s in International Development Management and Charity Accounting and Financial Management.

Click on the image above or here to watch Mark's video here discuss his motivation for joining BIHR's Board of Trustees.

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Trustee

Tanni is a crossbench peer; appointed in 2010 her parliamentary work has a special focus on disabled people’s rights, welfare, access to justice, youth development and sports. She is well known for her success as a Paralympic athlete, winning 16 medals in 5 Paralympic Games. Retiring from competition in 2007, Tanni still plays an active role in the sports field through administration, commentary and charitable activities.

Click on the above image or here to watch Baroness Grey-Thompson talk at our 2020 Human Rights reception, highlighting the importance of people in human rights work discussing BIHR’s work and the governmental review of the Human Rights Act.

Imran Khan QC, Trustee

Imran is one of the Founding members of Imran Khan and Partners, and is Head of the Criminal Defence, Actions Against the Police and Public Law Departments. He is well known for his representation of the family of Stephen Lawrence during the private prosecution, inquest and public inquiry into Stephen’s murder. Imran was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2018 having been a Higher Rights Advocate for many years,

 

Click on the above image or here to watch Imran talk at our 2020 Human Rights reception, highlighting the importance of the Human Rights Act for individuals and lawyers in setting out what we’re all entitled to as people.

Stephen Pittam, Trustee

Stephen Pittam retired as the Trust Secretary of the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust in 2012. Before joining JRCT, Stephen spent 10 years in local government in London focused on voluntary sector liaison and community development, having previously worked on community development in Ireland, Jordan and in the UK. Stephen is a Board member and advisor for several local, national and international rights-based initiatives.

Joe Powell, Trustee

Joe was appointed the National Director (now Chief Executive) of All Wales People First in 2012 as part of a nationwide recruitment campaign to appoint someone with lived experience of living in learning disability services to head the organisation. Prior to this Joe had lived in autism care services for eleven years and had to fight to get out of a system that defined him as being limited because of disability. With a more enlightened social model approach, he no longer needs support, has a job, his own house in the community and is a contributing tax payer.

Click on the above image or here to watch Joe, speaking at our 2020 Human Rights Day reception, discussing how he has used the Human Rights Act to support people with learning disabilities in Wales during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Edith Prak, Trustee

Edith is the Director of Advancement for the University of Nottingham. Prior to this she was the Director of Development for The Elders. Her previous roles include Director of Development at the Open University and a Deputy Director of the Ashmolean Museum. Edith has had an extensive career in fundraising and international development. A Dutch national, Edith gained her Masters in Economics at the University of Amsterdam.