Martin Levermore appointed as new Windrush independent adviser
The Home Office announces Professor Martin Levermore MBE DL as the new Independent Person to advise on the Windrush Compensation Scheme.
The Home Office has today (Wednesday 21 April) announced Professor Martin Levermore MBE DL as the new Independent Person to advise on the Windrush Compensation Scheme, following a competitive recruitment round.
Professor Levermore brings a wealth of professional and personal experience to the role and will provide crucial independent oversight and reassurance on the Windrush Compensation Scheme’s operation, policy and effectiveness.
The Windrush Compensation Scheme was launched in April 2019 to ensure that members of the Windrush generation are fairly compensated for the difficulties they faced in establishing their lawful status in the UK.
Having an independent adviser to the Windrush Compensation Scheme is one of a series of measures that the government has taken to right the wrongs experienced by those from the Windrush Generation.
Reporting directly to the Home Secretary, Professor Levermore will also participate in a range of outreach and engagement sessions as part of the Home Office’s work with stakeholder and community groups. He will also make sure the Home Office proactively seeks out and encourages affected individuals to apply to the Compensation Scheme in order to maximise uptake and improve the experience for claimants based on community insights.
Professor Levermore is visiting Professor for Health, Education and Life Sciences at Birmingham City University and an Honorary Consultant for Health Innovations with the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. He has been published widely in several academic and medical journals; he holds a Senior Associateship with the Royal Society of Medicine.
He also has significant experience in working with and representing those from the Commonwealth and holds various positions including Chair of Trade and Business Group for Birmingham Commonwealth Association, Patron of the National Caribbean Monument Charity, Executive committee member of Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, Chair of specific project task force of Jamaican Diaspora UK and committee member to the Association of Jamaican Nationals Birmingham.
Professor Levermore’s appointment comes as Martin Forde QC, who was appointed to give independent advice to the Compensation Scheme in May 2018, steps down from his role.