Published:  13th December 2023

Public Law Project (PLP) is delighted to announce the appointment of Jonathan Senker as the new Chair of the Board. Jonathan joins alongside new trustees Carien Rai, Harbi Jama, Ravi Mehta, Naveed Somani and Simon Fletcher.

Shameem Ahmad, CEO of PLP said:

“On behalf of the whole staff team at PLP, I extend a very warm welcome to our new board members, including our new chair.

“Our new members bring extensive experience from the fields of fundraising, monitoring and evaluation, research analytics, operations, and user-focused advocacy. Together with longstanding members of the board, I look forward to enabling their strategic oversight of PLP.

“This rich and diverse mix of skills on our board will ultimately enhance our capability and impact at a time when people who experience poverty, discrimination, and unlawful decision-making by public authorities, face ever greater challenges.

“I would also like to extend my personal thanks and gratitude to outgoing board members Pavan Dhaliwal and Mark Wood for their outstanding contributions to PLP, and for the support and insight they have so consistently provided. Their efforts leave us stronger than when they found us.”

Jonathan Senker, Chair of the Board of PLP said:

“I feel extremely privileged to have been selected to chair PLP’s board. PLP is a hugely significant and impressive organisation with a well-earned reputation for seeking to advance state accountability, fairness, and decency.

“This is a difficult and volatile political and judicial climate. The need for PLP’s work and the diligence, commitment, and insight its team provide are more vital than ever.

“I look forward to providing oversight and support to PLP and to helping the organisation further increase its impact.”

About Jonathan Senker

Jonathan is the Chief Executive of VoiceAbility, a leading independent advocacy and participation organisation which promotes the rights and voices of people who may otherwise be marginalised.
Jonathan’s career has been dedicated to enabling disabled people to have control over their lives and a voice that is heard, particularly when they use public services.

Jonathan has extensive experience of leading organisations, and in strategy and governance. Alongside Jonathan’s role at VoiceAbility, he was chair of the Single Homeless Project (SHP), a major provider of housing and support services to people at risk of homelessness or social exclusion.

PLP’s new trustees include:

  • Carien Rai – member of United Nations Women, an entrepreneur specialising in national and international business development, and former consultant to UK Government.
  • Harbi Jama – Head of Development at The London Community Foundation and board member of the Association of Visitors to Immigration Detainees.
  • Naveed Somani – evaluation manager at Liberty with a professional background in international development, and activist with groups including Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants.
  • Ravi Mehta – barrister at Blackstone Chambers with expertise in EU, competition law, international human rights, and international trade law.
  • Simon Fletcher – Global Head of Operations at Client Earth and Chair of the Board of Trustees at Pets as Therapy.

Find our updated list of trustees here.