A Warm Welcome to Lorna Shaw: BRIG’s New Interim Chief Executive

We’re thrilled to share that Lorna Shaw has joined us as BRIG’s Interim Chief Executive. Lorna will be helping to guide BRIG through its next chapter, building on what we’ve achieved so far and keeping race equity and anti-racism firmly on the agenda here in Birmingham and across the West Midlands.

Lorna isn’t new to this work. Her career has been shaped by a deep commitment to equity, social justice and inclusion. She worked with the Birmingham Stephen Lawrence Commission, set up by Birmingham City Council, to shine a light on how the city’s key institutions were tackling racism – and where more still needed to be done.

Lorna drafted the Inquiry Report, published in March 2001, which concluded that “institutional racism had blunted” efforts to achieve greater race equity, and set out 70 wide-ranging recommendations for change.

She went on to hold senior roles in local and national government, leading programmes to reduce health inequalities and strengthen community cohesion.

Our Chair, Ranjit Sondhi, says:
“Lorna joins BRIG at a moment when our city and region face a choice: to settle for words or to commit to action. She brings not only experience but heart, and we’re confident her leadership will help turn our shared vision of an anti-racist Birmingham into reality.”

Lorna says she’s excited to join BRIG to keep race on the agenda, hold institutions to account, work towards an anti-racist city, and pass the baton to future generations. She adds:
“I’m deeply honoured to be trusted with this role. It’s been over two decades since the Birmingham Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Commission Report highlighted the reality of institutional racism. I look forward to working alongside our communities and partners to achieve meaningful change.”

You can reach Lorna directly by email at lorna@wearebrig.co.uk