Sir Trevor Phillips

Sir Trevor Phillips OBE is a distinguished broadcaster, writer, and campaigner, currently the Presenter of Sunday Morning on Sky News and former President of the Partnership Council at the John Lewis Partnership. With lived experience as a Black Briton whose upbringing was shaped by the Windrush generation, Trevor is a passionate and authentic voice in conversations around race, diversity, and inclusion. His background continues to shape his work as a powerful racial equality speaker, drawing on both personal and professional insights. Regularly speaking on topics such as institutional racism, unconscious bias, the Windrush legacy, and the role of corporate responsibility in inclusion, Trevor brings clarity and challenge to critical social debates.

Trevor’s journey as a change-maker began during his school years, where he broke barriers as the first Black President of the National Union of Students. His early career in media took off at London Weekend Television, where he progressed from Researcher to Head of Current Affairs by 1992. As Producer and Presenter of The London Programme, he established his reputation as a fearless journalist, winning multiple Royal Television Society Awards, including Documentary Series of the Year for Windrush in 1999. His later work with BBC and Channel 4, including the provocative documentary, Things We Won’t Say About Race (That Are True), positioned him as a thought leader on race and identity in Britain.

Over the years, Trevor has held several pivotal leadership roles, including Chair of the London Assembly, Head of the Commission for Racial Equality, and Chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. He was also an influential figure in the New Labour Project and joined the Labour Party in 1996. His writing, such as Windrush: The Irresistible Rise of Multi-Racial Britain (reissued as Windrush: 75 Years of Modern Britain), further cements his authority as a chronicler of modern multicultural Britain. In recognition of his contributions, Trevor was appointed OBE in 1999 and knighted in 2022 for his services to equality and human rights.

As a speaker, Trevor is unmatched in his ability to tackle complex, often uncomfortable subjects with nuance, empathy, and candour. He delves into themes like race in the workplace, structural inequality, freedom of speech, and British identity. Trevor’s talks are not only informed by years of experience in policy and broadcasting but are also enriched by his personal connection to the issues he addresses. With a compelling stage presence and deep intellectual insight, Trevor is a top choice for organisations seeking to lead impactful conversations on racial equality and inclusive leadership.