Fundraising Regulator appoints Labour peer as new chair

The Fundraising Regulator has appointed Labour peer Toby Harris as its new chair, replacing existing chair Lord Grade in January 2019.

Lord Harris, who was made a life peer in 1998, has worked across national, regional and local organisations with responsibility for policing and security, consumer affairs, local government services and healthcare for over three decades.

In 2016, Lord Harris led the independent review of London’s Preparedness to Respond to a Major Terrorist Incident. Other notable roles include serving as chair of National Trading Standards (2013-), chair of the Independent Reference Group at the National Crime Agency (2017-), chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority (2000-2004) and leader of the Labour Group in the London Assembly (2000-2004).

Lord Harris has also served as the chairman to the committee on the Olympic and Paralympic Legacy (2013) and currently serves as a member of the joint committee on the National Security Strategy.

He will replace the Fundraising Regulator’s outgoing chair, Lord Grade, whose term comes to an end at the end of this year. Lord Grade has been the chair of the Fundraising Regulator since November 2015 and was appointed to set up the Regulator.

The Fundraising Regulator's vice-chair, Margaret Moore said: “Following an open and competitive recruitment process, I am delighted to welcome Lord Harris as our new chair. His rich and varied experience in the public sector, and as chair of a wide range of organisations, convinced the appointment panel of his eminent suitability for the role.

“It is with huge gratitude that we say farewell to Lord Grade. On behalf of everyone at the Fundraising Regulator, I would like to thank him for his outstanding leadership in the creation and establishment of the Regulator as an essential part of the charitable fundraising landscape.”

Commenting on his appointment, Lord Harris of Haringey added: “I am excited to have been appointed chair of the Fundraising Regulator. I very much admire the vital work the team at the regulator have tirelessly been carrying out over the past few years and am looking forward to supporting the Board and its staff in ensuring that fundraising is carried out transparently and ethically.”