Equality Challenge Unit appoints new chief executive

Equality Challenge Unit is pleased to announce the appointment of David Ruebain as Chief Executive.

David is currently Director of Legal Policy at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the statutory body with responsibility to protect, enforce and promote equality and human rights. He will join ECU on 1 June 2010.

A practicing solicitor for 21 years, David is a renowned expert in the fields of education and disability. As Head of Education and Disability Law at Levenes Solicitors, David was nominated for the Law Society's lifetime achievement award in human rights, and is a winner of RADAR's 2002 People of the Year award. In his current role David leads on the Commission's work on the Equality Bill.

David said:

'I am thrilled to be taking up this post at a key time for universities. The sector faces a very challenging economic, legal and political environment and ECU can play a key role in helping to navigate this and continue to maximise opportunities for all.'

Professor John Brooks, Chair of ECU and Vice-Chancellor, Manchester Metropolitan University, said:

'ECU is delighted to announce the appointment of David Ruebain as Chief Executive. David has extensive and world-leading experience that will help the sector to continue our excellent progress on equality. I know that David will be warmly welcomed by the sector and look forward to his insight and advice.'

Dr Sue Cavanagh, Deputy Chief Executive of ECU, said:

'The ECU team warmly welcomes David Ruebain's appointment and we look forward to working with him. David's legal expertise on equality issues and his general experience of driving forward equalities within the public sector will be a tremendous asset to our work supporting the higher education sector to achieve a strong equality and diversity base.'

David's appointment has been welcomed across the higher education sector. Steve Egan, Deputy Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, said:

'We are extremely pleased to hear about David's new appointment. His breadth of knowledge and expertise will be well placed to lead ECU in supporting the sector through challenging times ahead for equality in higher education.'

David Ruebain: Additional biographical notes:

David is an ADR Group Accredited Mediator, a founding member of The Times Law Panel and a past equality law adviser to the FA Premier League. He is also a Board Member of Equinet - the European Network of Equality Bodies.

David has published widely and taught nationally and internationally on education and disability law.

David is the winner of RADAR's People of the year award for achievement in the furtherance of disabled people in the UK, 2002. He was also shortlisted for the Law Society's Gazette Centenary award for lifetime achievement - human rights, in November 2003. In August 2006, David was listed as one of 25 most influential disabled people in the UK by Disability Now.