Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission begins work
Thelma Stober and Michael Lockwood chosen as co-chairs of the independent Memorial Commission.
- Independent, community-led Commission to decide on a memorial to commemorate the 72 lives lost in the Grenfell Tower fire
- Thelma Stober and Michael Lockwood to co-chair the Commission
- Chairs to oversee the Commission’s open and inclusive decision-making process, with the community central to the decision
The Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission’s community representatives have chosen Thelma Stober and Michael Lockwood as their co-chairs.
The Commission will be working closely with the bereaved, survivors and the community to decide the most fitting and appropriate way to remember those who lost their lives in the Grenfell tragedy, and how the memorial site will be owned and managed in the long term.
The community-led Commission is made up of representatives of the bereaved families, survivors of the fire, and local residents.
The co-chairs will ensure that the Commission’s work to decide the memorial involves the community at every stage.
The community representatives said:
We are pleased to have selected 2 co-chairs to support the community on our journey towards a fitting memorial.
Both bring a range of skills from their extensive careers across the public sector including Michael’s previous role supporting the Grenfell community, and Thelma’s experiences of the 7/7 memorial as a survivor of that terrible event.
This unique, combined experience will further strengthen the work we’re about to begin with our incredible community to determine how we should best remember all those affected by the Grenfell tragedy.
In a joint statement, co-chairs, Thelma Stober and Michael Lockwood, said:
We are honoured to have been selected by the community representatives to co-chair the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission and will work tirelessly to support them to deliver a memorial that reflects the wishes of the bereaved families, survivors and local community.
The role of the Commission is vital in making sure that those who lost their lives in the tragedy are commemorated and are never forgotten.
Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:
I welcome the appointment of Thelma Stober and Michael Lockwood as co-chairs of the independent Memorial Commission, as chosen by the community.
It is right that the bereaved, survivors and community are at the heart of the decision-making process on the memorial.
The government is committed to supporting the community in their work to create a fitting memorial to honour those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
Additional information
Thelma Stober
Thelma Stober is Head of Legal and Company Secretary at the Local Government Association and survived the 7/7 London terror attacks. She sits on the government’s Victims’ Panel advising on improving the criminal justice system for victims of crime and is also a trustee for the London Emergencies Trust.
She was selected to represent the United Kingdom at the second International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to Victims of Terrorism, on 21 August 2019, by the United Nations at its headquarters in New York.
Michael Lockwood
Michael Lockwood is the Director-General of the Independent Office of Police Conduct. Prior to this he was chief executive of the London Borough of Harrow Council.
Michael was brought in by the government immediately after the Grenfell Tower fire to lead on the recovery work and engagement with the bereaved, survivors and local community and to head up the site management team. During this time, Michael engaged with the bereaved and survivors after the tragic fire.
Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission
The Commission comprises 10 community representatives made up of 5 bereaved, 3 former residents of Grenfell Tower and Grenfell Walk who lost their homes, and 2 residents from the Lancaster West estate. This composition of community representatives will enable the bereaved to have the majority say.
Representatives were selected by the bereaved families, survivors and local residents.
The Commission will seek the views of the local North Kensington community to develop a proposal for a fitting memorial.
The Commission will publish a report setting out its findings once its work is complete.
Administrative support to the Commission is provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The government and council have no plans to redevelop the site. They have publicly stated that if the bereaved, survivors and local community do not want the site to be redeveloped, it will not be redeveloped.
No decision has yet been made about the future of the Tower.
More information about the Commission can be found on its website.
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