Dr Trevor Hall CBE

Dr Trevor Hall CBE

Born in Barbados in 1941, in his teens Trevor became an outstanding leader in the Church Lads’ Brigade, first visiting the UK on its behalf, aged 16. In the early 60s, he travelled to England to work for London Transport while maintaining his commitment to community and youth work through the church. This led to a post as Administrator for the Church of England Board of Education, and the early beginnings of his influence on national thought and practice in race relations. He moved to Rugby in Community Relations, focusing specifically on young people, where his creative methods soon brought the very diverse communities of the town together, reaching the lives of children, young people, and adults alike. Never afraid to tackle the big issues, he initiated research, developed community initiatives, and pioneered multiracial youth international exchanges. He created innovative training programmes, gaining the confidence of communities, police, and local authority, to bring people together in challenging times in terms of race equality. With significant race relations legislation just beginning to emerge, Trevor’s skills and expertise were soon noticed at the national level and he was appointed in 1982 to the Home Office as Race Equality Adviser to the Permanent Secretary. Trevor was instrumental in transforming policy and practice, whilst maintaining absolute integrity and independent thought. As the most senior black civil servant of the time, Trevor was promoted to join the Management Board, sharing perspectives and initiatives at the very highest levels, always keeping in mind the interests of those unable easily to communicate with those in power. Trevor’s initiatives in training senior police, magistracy, senior judges and immigration service had a lasting impact, significantly changing race relations practice. Throughout, Trevor never lost track of his commitment to young people and communities, taking on the roles of Chair of the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council, and Vice Chair of the National Youth Bureau. In the mid-80s, he spearheaded the establishment of the Windsor Fellowship, creating leadership development programmes for young Black and Asian undergraduates to enable them to compete positively in both public and private sectors, where they were significantly under-represented at senior level. Conventional retirement was not an option and on leaving the Home Office, Trevor was asked to continue as Race Advisor to the Lord Chancellor’s Department, and he continues even now to direct Windsor Fellowship programmes. In recognition of his outstanding work, Trevor has been recognised both by academia, through an honorary Doctorate in Law and Letters, and by government, having been awarded both an OBE and the CBE

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