New Chair for the Fundraising Regulator

Labour peer Toby Harris, Lord Harris of Haringey, will be the new Fundraising Regulator Chair. Lord Harris’ role will start on 1 January 2019 when current chair Lord Grade’s term comes to an end.

The Board led an exhaustive, competitive and public process to find a new chair. Two independent panel members assisted in the final stage of the recruitment process, offering first-hand experience of the charity sector and its regulation.

Lord Harris, who was made a life peer in 1998, has a wealth of experience and a proven record in public service. He has worked across national, regional and local organisations with responsibility for policing and security, consumer affairs, local government services and healthcare for over three decades.

His experience includes:

  • leading the independent review of London’s Preparedness to Respond to a Major Terrorist Incident
  • Chair of National Trading Standards (2013-)
  • Chair of the Independent Reference Group at the National Crime Agency (2017-)
  • Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority (2000-2004)
  • Leader of the Labour Group in the London Assembly (2000-2004).

In Parliament, Lord Harris has served as the Chairman to the Committee on the Olympic and Paralympic Legacy (2013) and is currently a member of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy.  

He replaces Lord Grade, who has been the Chair of the Fundraising Regulator since November 2015 and was appointed to set it up. His term finishes at the end of this year.

Margaret Moore, Vice-Chair of the Board of Fundraising Regulator said: Following an open and competitive recruitment process, I am delighted to welcome Lord Harris as our new Chair. His rich and varied experience in the public sector, and as Chair of a wide range of organisations, convinced the appointment panel of his eminent suitability for the role.

“It is with huge gratitude that we say farewell to Lord Grade. On behalf of everyone at the Fundraising Regulator, I would like to thank him for his outstanding leadership in the creation and establishment of the Regulator as an essential part of the charitable fundraising landscape.”

Lord Harris of Haringey said: “I am excited to have been appointed Chair of the Fundraising Regulator. I very much admire the vital work the team at the regulator have tirelessly been carrying out over the past few years and am looking forward to supporting the Board and its staff in ensuring that fundraising is carried out transparently and ethically.”

Lord Grade, outgoing Chair, said: “My time at the Fundraising Regulator has been immensely enjoyable. I am proud to have been with the regulator since it was set up and to have been involved in landmark moments such as the launch of the much-needed Fundraising Preference Service.

“I am confident that the Fundraising Regulator will continue its hard work in ensuring that the Code of Fundraising Practice is upheld with Lord Harris as Chair and Gerald Oppenheim leading the staff team.”