Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson has appointed Baroness Alison Garnham as a commissioner and interim chair of the Social Mobility Commission, as its work moves into the Government's new Class Unit.
Baroness Garnham, chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group, will ensure the commission fulfils its legal duties until its closure and will act as an external adviser to the Class Unit, while a permanent chair is selected. The previous chair, Alun Francis, ended his term on 31 October.
Bridget Phillipson: 'Real change to people's lives'
"Tackling the deep rooted inequalities faced by working class families is crucial. From education to health care, your background should not dictate your opportunities," Phillipson said. "Our Class Unit will ensure the Commission's purpose continues right at the heart of government, with ministers rightly accountable for driving action and delivering real change to people's lives."
"I want to thank Alun Francis for his commitment to this agenda over the past 5 years, and look forward to working with Alison with her wealth of experience and expertise, as the SMC goes through this transitional period," she added.
A lifetime tackling poverty
Baroness Garnham previously led the Daycare Trust and was director of policy at One Parent Families, now Gingerbread. She was announced as a Labour life peer in 2026, is an elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and spent nine years on the Social Security Advisory Committee.
The Class Unit sits within the Office for Equality and Opportunity, with a focus on low-income families, disadvantaged communities and rooting out child poverty. Once the Government names its preferred candidate for permanent chair, they will face a pre-appointment hearing before the Commons Women and Equalities Committee.
