New deputies appointed as Alun Francis confirmed as SMC Chair
Alun Francis has been appointed permanent Chair of the Social Mobility Commission (SMC), with Resham Kotecha and Rob Wilson serving as deputies.
Alun Francis OBE
Today, (10 November), current Interim Chair of the Social Mobility Commission (SMC), Alun Francis, has had his position confirmed by the Minister for Women and Equalities.
The announcement follows a hearing conducted by the Women and Equalities Select Committee, after which Alun’s appointment was approved.
Alongside serving as Deputy and then the Interim Chair of the SMC, Alun remains the Principal and Chief Executive of Blackpool and The Fylde College.
Resham Kotecha and Rob Wilson will now serve as Deputy Chair on an interim jobshare basis.
Both Resham Kotecha and Rob Wilson have been supporting the work of the SMC since their appointment as Commissioners in September 2022. Resham is currently Global Head of Policy at the Open Data Institute and is on the Government’s Smart Data Council. Rob is a former Member of Parliament for Reading East, and is now involved with a number of businesses as well as being Chair of national wheelchair sports charity WheelPower.
Minister for Women and Equalities, Kemi Badenoch MP, said:
I am pleased that Alun has now had his position confirmed and can continue with his important work as Chair of the Commission.
The experience, knowledge and expertise he has gained through his work in education, as well as in the positions he has held at the Social Mobility Commission, will be vital to his work at the SMC as a champion of social mobility across the UK.
The Social Mobility Commission is an advisory non-departmental body, sponsored by the Cabinet Office’s Equality Hub.