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Baroness Prashar to be President of the National Literacy Trust
9 Dec 2010
The National Literacy Trust is delighted to announce that Baroness Usha Prashar will be its new President following the sad death of the charity’s founder and former President, Sir Simon Hornby, earlier this year.
Baroness Prashar of Runnymede has been an instrumental figure in the development of the National Literacy Trust from its very beginnings. In 1992, the Baroness was appointed to support Sir Simon when he launched the charity as Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the Executive Committee, working with the first Director, Neil McClelland, from October 1993 to December 2006. From 2001 to 2005 the Baroness succeeded Sir Simon as Chairman of the National Literacy Trust.
Baroness Prashar says:
“I am honoured to be the new President of the National Literacy Trust. I have been an active supporter of the Trust since its inception and I am proud of my contribution to its foundation and leadership.
“Today the Trust faces fresh challenges and must address new opportunities in its mission to build a literate nation. I am excited by the commitment and enthusiasm of the team and I look forward to working with them to address literacy in the UK today.”
Director of the National Literacy Trust, Jonathan Douglas, says:
“We are absolutely delighted that Baroness Usha Prashar has agreed to take on the role of President. We’ve had the pleasure of working with Usha from the very beginning and her unwavering support, passion and knowledge has been vital to the success of our charity.
“By supporting literacy we can build a more stable society and an economy fit for the future. We’re thrilled to have the support of Usha in helping us reach our goal.”
Baroness Prashar was born in Kenya, and came to Yorkshire with her family in the 1960s. She was a Director of the Runnymede Trust from 1976 to 1984, a fellow with the Policy Studies Institute from 1984 to 1986, and a director of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations from 1986 to 1991.She was First Civil Service Commissioner from August 2000 to 2005. She became a governor of De Montfort University in 1996, and became its Chancellor in 2001. Baroness Prashar was a member of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, and the chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission from 2055 to 2010. Currently, she is a member of the Iraq Enquiry, an ongoing British public inquiry into the United Kingdom's role into the Iraq War.
Baroness Prashar became a trustee of the BBC World Service Trust in 2002, and is president of the Royal Commonwealth Society. She was awarded a CBE in 1994 and made a Life Peer in 1999 as Baroness Prashar, of Runnymede in the County of Surrey and is also a crossbench peer.
Ends
For more information about Baroness Usha Prashar and the National Literacy Trust please contact Anna Lindsay, Public Relations Officer via anna.lindsay@literacytrust.org.uk or 020 7820 6256.
Notes to Editors
1. About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that transforms lives through literacy. We believe that society will only be fair when everyone has the literacy skills they need to communicate, to fulfil their potential and to contribute more to society. We campaign to improve public understanding of the vital importance of literacy, as well as delivering projects and working in partnership to reach those most in need of support.
To help us transform lives through literacy, you can make a donation or support our work. To find out how visit http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/support
National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260, and a company limited by guarantee, no. 5836486. Registered in England and Wales. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL. Tel: 020 7587 1842
