Executive committee

Sara has worked in the criminal justice system, primarily with women, for 10 years, following a first career in theatre. She has been both a parliamentary and a London Assembly candidate. She was in the inaugural Jo Cox Women in Leadership cohort.

Anneliese has been Labour MP for Oxford East since 2017. She is chair of the Labour Party overseeing the party’s policy review. Anneliese was previously a member of the European parliament for the south east England region and the first woman Shadow Chancellor.

Catherine Fookes is director of Women’s Equality Network (WEN) Wales. Catherine is also a school governor and an alumni of the Fabian Women’s Network mentoring scheme. Catherine is an intersectional feminist who is campaigning for equality for all women, and wants to see more Black, Asian and minority ethnic women, LGBT+ women and disabled women in positions of power in Wales.

Joy was elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham in May 2021. Before this she was a County Councillor (2013-2021) and Cabinet Member, Town Councillor and local Mayor. She is a graduate of the Fabian Women’s Network Mentoring Programme and is currently the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners national lead for addictions and substance misuse and environment and sustainability.

Luke John is the chair of Birmingham and West Midlands Fabians. He previously sat on the Young Fabians national executive and was the first chair of the Young Fabians International Network. He is a PhD student at Aston University researching changes to social democratic parties in western Europe and is a member of the FEPS Young Academic Network.

Martin is the clinical director for North Newham Primary Care Network and NHS GP. He is also the Improvement and Innovation Lead for Newham Training Hub. He is the former national Chair of the Young Fabians (2015-2016) and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Martin McCluskey is a doctoral researcher at the University of Edinburgh and a former political director of the Scottish Labour party.

Paul Richards is the Labour & Co-operative candidate for Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), and chair of East Sussex Co-operative Party. He has served as a special adviser, parliamentary candidate, and aide to Labour MPs. Paul is the author of several Fabian pamphlets, is a regular contributor to Fabian Review, and is a former national Chair of the Fabian Society.

Lord Kennedy of Southwark is a Labour and Co-operative peer. Roy is chief whip in the House of Lords and a lifelong Fabian and Co-operator. He is a director of his local credit union and supports both Millwall FC and Surrey County Cricket Club.

Sarina works in policy and communications within the housing-with-care sector. She is currently Women’s Officer of Young Labour, Membership and Recruitment Lead for Labour in Communications, and previously sat on the Young Fabians National Executive. Sarina is actively involved in organisations and initiatives to encourage youth participation in politics.

Shahinoor is the Wales Public Affairs Officer for the League Against Cruel Sports. Shahinoor is also a Welsh Government appointed Youth Work Strategy Implementation Board member as well as the Deputy Secretary General for the Muslim Council of Wales. Formerly worked in the Senedd as a staff member for long serving member John Griffiths, he is passionate on issues such as young people, the need for adequate housing and promoting opportunities to assist the advancement of economic prosperity and social mobility in the UK.

Wes is the Labour MP for Ilford North and shadow health and social care secretary. He was first elected in 2015 and was appointed to the shadow cabinet in May 2021. He is a former president of the NUS.