Electoral Commission appoints Director of Devolution and Law

Williams was Legal Secretary to the Lord Chief Justice, joined the Ministry of Justice Legal Advisers to work on constitutional reform, and led on the Government's devolution strategy and coordination across all three devolution settlements, where she advised on electoral policy, electoral legislative reform, and electoral litigation.

She has lead the Europe, Human Rights and Trade team at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and is the UK Agent to the European Court of Human Rights.

The Electoral Commission has also appointed Sam Hartley as Director of Policy, Research and Voter Engagement and Niki Nixon as Director of Communications and External Affairs.

Vijay Rangarajan, Chief Executive at the Electoral Commission, said: “I am thrilled to welcome Alison, Sam and Niki to our executive team. Each brings a wealth of experience, expertise and energy. Their appointments mark a key chapter for the Commission as we look ahead to electoral changes expected across the UK, and begin to prepare voters and the electoral community. They join as we begin our preparations for a significant set of elections next May for the Scottish Parliament, Senedd and English local authorities.”

The Electoral Commission said it has a period of rapid change ahead of it, as it works to deliver its five strategic priorities: “to support voters and increase participation; modernise the electoral system; safeguard and protect the system from threats; lead an informed debate about the future of elections; and strengthen the Commission itself and its delivery capacity”. 

It added that these priorities would be delivered alongside the Commission’s work on the legislation set out in the UK Government’s Strategy for modern and secure elections. The strategy sets out changes to the voting age, voter registration, political finance rules, and candidate protections.