New chair of equalities watchdog confirmed, despite refusal from select committees to endorse her appointment
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has confirmed the appointment of Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson as its next Chair, despite two joint committees being unable to endorse her appointment to the role.
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Dr Stephenson was announced as the government’s preferred candidate in June and completed a pre-appointment hearing in front of the Women and Equalities Committee and the Joint Committee on Human Rights on 1 July.
However, following the hearing, MPs said it was “with regret” they did not feel able to endorse her appointment to the role.
In a letter to Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities, the committee chairs wrote: “Our reasons relate to our concerns about vision and leadership, about breadth of expertise across the wide remit of the EHRC, and about rebuilding trust.”
The letter continued: “Dr Stephenson impressed with her record of advocating for women’s rights - on which she should be commended - and her knowledge of equalities legislation.
"While we accept that no candidate is likely to have in-depth knowledge of every single area, she did not demonstrate a suitable depth of understanding of enough issues facing groups with other protected characteristics including race and disability. As such, we have concerns over her ability to enforce the rights of everyone."
Following this, charity ‘Sex Matters’ wrote to the committees about their questioning of Dr Stephenson, claiming that their questions relating to sex-based rights and trans rights were, but for a few exceptions, “openly hostile to those who hold gender-critical beliefs”, “ill-informed about the law” and “unsupportive of the EHRC doing its job of ensuring understanding and enforcement of the Equality Act”.
Sex Matters also suggested that the committees referred several times to letters and emails received from organisations raising concerns about Stephenson. It said the communications form part of a “well-established pattern of attempted ‘cancellation’ […] of gender-critical women”.
Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson will take up the post from 1 December 2025, when Baroness Falkner’s extended term comes to an end.
Responding to the confirmation of her appointment on 31 July, she said: “It is a great honour to be appointed as the new Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission at such a critical time.
“I have spent over 30 years building my career across the equality and human rights sector and I am delighted to have the opportunity to bring my insight and experience to lead the EHRC with compassion, honesty and dedication.
“I look forward to working with the Government and all stakeholders alongside my new colleagues at the EHRC to uphold equality and human rights and ensure that everyone is treated with respect and dignity.”
Lottie Winson
Police Misconduct & Vetting Solicitor
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