The Refugee Council has appointed youth and justice expert Enver Solomon as its new chief executive.

Solomon will take up the role in December 2020 and joins from youth charity Just for Kids Law.

He has also held senior management posts at the National Children’s Bureau, the Children’s Society and Barnardos.

In addition, he also has experience in the justice sector, having held roles at the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies as well as the Prison Reform Trust.

He replaces Maurice Wren, who is retiring after eight years at the charity, which supports the rights of refugees.

“The Refugee Council is a national institution that delivers vital services to refugees and people seeking asylum, including unaccompanied children and young people, and I am honoured to be taking over as the new chief executive,” said Solomon.

“The UK has a proud tradition of providing protection for those fleeing war, persecution and human rights abuses. As we approach the 70th anniversary of the UN convention on refugees next year, there has never been a more challenging or interesting time to join the Refugee Council.

“I look forward to working with all the organisation’s partners and supporters to shape and influence the public debate on refugees and to make sure their voices are at the heart of it.”

During his career Solomon has also sat on advisory boards at the Department for Education, HM Inspector of Prisons as well as the Office of the Children’s Commissioner. Chairmanship roles have includes the Standing Committee for Youth Justice, End Child Poverty Campaign and was chair of trustees at the Asylum Aid for five years.

Refugee Council chair of trustees Andrew Halper, added: “Enver is a leader who is tenaciously dedicated to the disadvantaged.

“His experience of the legal and wider humanitarian aspects of refugee and asylum issues, his leadership on youth and justice issues, and his commitment to building partnerships will strengthen the Refugee Council and the sector in the years ahead.

“I’d also like to say a heart-felt thank you to Maurice Wren, on behalf of everyone at the Refugee Council, for eight years of distinguished leadership. His dedication to championing the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum, and his unique ability to bring out the best in people, has enabled the Refugee Council to go from strength to strength during his tenure.”

Share Story: