Tribute to Lord Ouseley – by Lord Woolley
Lord Ouseley: 24 March 1945 – 2 October 2024 | Image courtesy of UK Parliament
4 min read
One of the modern greats in the fight against racism, my friend and mentor Herman Ouseley was a quiet, selfless and humble man. An inspiration for generations to come, he has left an indelible mark on British society
Over the coming days and weeks, many will rightly laud the extraordinary achievements of Herman Ouseley. His impact on British society, particularly in the fight against racism, cannot be overstated. Under his leadership from 1993 to 2000, the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) stood as a beacon of hope and resistance against systemic racism. Perhaps most prominently, Herman was the singular force who persistently and effectively challenged the culture of deep-rooted racism in English football.
As the founder of Kick It Out, and its chair for more than two decades, he gave English football its most resonant societal voice in the battle against racism. The organisation's influence extends to this day, evident in the powerful gesture of footballers ‘taking the knee’ in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
These accomplishments alone secure Herman’s place as one of the modern greats who tackled racism and helped transform British culture. Born in Guyana in 1945 and arriving in the UK at age 11, he rose to become the first Black chief executive of a London borough (Lambeth) and later the first Black person to lead a major UK public sector organisation as the head of the CRE.
Yet, for those of us fortunate enough to have known and worked with him, Herman was more than just a national changemaker. One of his most significant, perhaps less-heralded, strengths was his humility and commitment to servant leadership.
My personal experience with Herman began over 30 years ago when I was a volunteer at the democratic reform organisation Charter 88. In 1995, as we undertook a Citizens Inquiry into British Democracy, I reached out to Herman, then the head of the CRE, for an interview. To my astonishment, his office agreed to grant me 30 minutes with the chair.
One of his most significant strengths was his commitment to servant leadership
At that time, I was a virtual unknown in political and campaigning circles. But Herman saw in me a keenness and a desire to listen and learn. Our scheduled 30-minute meeting stretched to an hour and beyond, with the apprentice hanging on every word of the master. He rescheduled his next appointment, saying, "I need to support and encourage young men like Simon."
That day marked the beginning of a 30-year mentorship and friendship. While I'd like to think Herman saw something special in me, the truth is that he extended this same generosity to hundreds of people. It was simply who he was – a fighter and a quiet institutional transformer whose greatest gift was his selfless support of others.
When I was ennobled as a Lord in 2019, one of my first calls was to Herman. I asked if he would induct me into the House of Lords. His response was characteristically humble and encouraging: "Brother Woolley, I'd love to, but I've just retired from my Upper House duties. After 50 years of public service, I'm a little tired, so I'm done. One thing I'm very happy to do, though, is to pass the 'baton' that keeps up this fight for justice over to you."
Now, as we bid farewell to this giant of British public life, we remember not just his monumental achievements but also his personal warmth, mentorship, and unflagging commitment to justice. Herman’s legacy lives on in the institutions he transformed, the causes he championed, and the countless individuals he inspired and supported.
Yes, my dear friend, you now rest with the greats. We who remain will strive to run the race for justice as well as you did, sir. Your life's work has left an indelible mark on British society, and your spirit of servant leadership will continue to inspire generations to come.
Rest in power, Lord Herman Ouseley.
Lord Woolley is a Crossbench peer
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