HMDT appoints next Chair

Sir Sajid will succeed Laura Marks CBE, who will retire in July 2025 after the maximum nine years in the role. Under her leadership, we have expanded greatly in reach and impact, establishing Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) in communities across the UK, and embedding it within political, faith and civic sectors with the Royal Patronage of His Majesty The King. Laura Marks will remain as Chair through the significant milestones of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia when we mark HMD 2025. The Board of Trustees wish to record their enormous appreciation of her work as Chair. Her commitment, intelligence, creativity and warmth will be greatly missed – she will be a very hard act to follow.

Following a thorough recruitment process, chaired by our Vice-Chair, Sir Leigh Lewis, and supported by the specialist recruitment advisors, Prospectus, Sir Sajid will take on the leadership of our Board of Trustees at the AGM in July 2025. Until then he will join the Board as Chair Elect.

Sir Sajid brings significant national leadership, knowledge of our work, and a passion for challenging hatred and persecution based on faith, ethnicity and other forms of identity. As a former Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, he played a leading role in the development of the plans for the new Holocaust memorial and learning centre, worked closely with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) and many others in the fields of Holocaust commemoration, and visited Auschwitz-Birkenau and Yad Vashem. He has a strong track record in challenging antisemitism (anti-Jewish hatred), combatting racism and promoting social cohesion. As Home Secretary, he increased funding and support to fight antisemitism and other hate crimes.

Reacting to his appointment, Sir Sajid said:

I am deeply honoured and humbled to be taking on the role of Chair at the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. This is a profound responsibility, and I am committed to ensuring that we continue to honour the memory of those who were murdered, and educate future generations about the lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides. In a world where intolerance and hatred still persist, our work is more important than ever, and I look forward to contributing to this vital mission.

Laura Marks said:

It’s a privilege to serve as Chair of HMDT and work alongside brave and thoughtful Holocaust and genocide survivors. Witnessing the transformative impact of our work on people from all walks of life has been deeply inspiring. While I will be stepping down as Chair next year, my commitment to HMDT’s cause will not diminish. I am delighted with the appointment of Sir Sajid as my successor and, after the important commemorations of 2025, am very pleased to pass the torch to such an outstanding individual. HMDT’s future is in excellent hands.

HMDT Chief Executive Olivia Marks-Woldman OBE said:

We are thrilled to welcome Sir Sajid as our new Chair and look forward to working closely with him. His expertise, connections and determination will drive us forward in realising our vision of building a better future, one in which the dignity of every human being is respected. We are enormously grateful to Laura for her nine years of dedication and leadership. She has set an immensely powerful example, and I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished together. Her passion and commitment to Holocaust and genocide education and remembrance have been instrumental in making HMD a national institution.