The Vice Chair of West Midlands Housing Association Nehemiah Housing Association, Professor Martin Levermore MBE DL, has been appointed by the UK Government as the new Independent Person to advise on the Windrush Compensation Scheme.
The appointment comes after a competitive selection process and on appointing Martin to this important role the Home Office said “Professor Levermore brings a wealth of professional and personal experience to the role and will provide crucial independent oversight and reassurance on the Windrush Compensation Scheme’s operation, policy and effectiveness.”
Launched in April 2019, the Windrush Compensation Scheme aims to ensure that the Windrush generation are fairly compensated for difficulties they may have faced in establishing their lawful status in the UK.
Commenting on his appointment Martin Levermore said: “I am very pleased and also honoured to be appointed. Whilst my role is to oversee the scheme, ensuring its governance and financial remit remains consistent with the aims and objectives of the scheme, I consider part of my function is to build confidence and trust within the community and to encourage as many from the Windrush community that have been wronged to obtain restitution.
“I will be participating in a range of community engagement events with stakeholders and community groups and I will ensure the Home Office proactively seeks out and encourages affected individuals to apply to the Compensation Scheme in order to maximise uptake and improve the interaction between the Home Office and communities through measurable and lasting improvements. It is vitally important to me that we make a positive difference.”
Nehemiah Housing Association Chief Executive Llewellyn Graham says: “On behalf of Nehemiah Housing Association, I offer Martin many congratulations on this well-earned appointment. It is testament to his dedication and commitment to working with and helping where possible the BME community.
“We look forward to working and assisting Martin with community engagement events and identifying potential claimants in our community.”
As well as being Vice Chair of Nehemiah Housing Association, Professor Levermore is visiting Professor for Health, Education and Life Sciences at Birmingham City University and an Honorary Consultant for Health Innovations with the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. He has been published widely in several academic and medical journals; he holds a Senior Associateship with the Royal Society of Medicine.
He was also appointed as Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands in 2018 and holds various other positions including National Lay-leader for the Church of God Prophecy, Chair of Trade and Business Group for Birmingham Commonwealth Association, Chair of Medilink West Midlands, Patron of the National Caribbean Monument Charity, Executive committee member of Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, Chair of specific project task force of Jamaican Diaspora UK and committee member to the Association of Jamaican Nationals Birmingham.
