The Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission has announced he will be moving to a senior role at the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry after just one year in post.

Ian Duddy has been named as the Chief Executive of the Inquiry and will be responsible and accountable for its administration and management from this summer.

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has now launched its main channel for those who were impacted by the pandemic in Scotland to share their experiences.

Chaired by Lord Brailsford, the Inquiry will investigate aspects of the devolved strategic response to the pandemic in the fields of health, education and the provision of support.

Mr Duddy will be the Inquiry’s most senior official and brings with him more than 20 years’ experience in leadership, advocacy and human rights. He said he is delighted to join the Inquiry team:

“This is without doubt the most wide-ranging Inquiry in Scotland’s history, as every one of us has been impacted by COVID-19 in some way. I’m looking forward to playing my part in ensuring that the Inquiry really delivers for the people of Scotland.”

Mr Duddy served as a senior diplomat, UK Ambassador, and led the UK team at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva before his appointment as chair of the Scottish Commission for Human Rights (SCHR) in March 2022. 

In a letter sent to the Scottish parliament’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee earlier this year, Mr Duddy told MSPs he sees 2023 as a transition year for the Commission.

The Commission is set to receive a 22% increase in funding this year, to allow it to reorganise, restructure staff and recruit two additional full-time staff members.

The Commission says it will continue its work to promote and protect human rights in Scotland, with a team of three part-time commissioners led by Executive Director Jan Savage.

The process of recruiting a new Chair will be led by the Scottish parliament in due course.

Responding to the news that Mr Duddy will demit office as Chair of the Commission on 30 June 2023, Jan Savage said:

“Scotland is at a crucial juncture when it comes to strengthening the laws that protect everyone’s rights and then ensuring these laws are meaningful in practice in people’s lives.

“We thank Ian for everything he has done for human rights in Scotland whilst at the Commission and we wish him well in his new role.”

Read more: Applications reopen for Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry; Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry core participants revealed; Too many commissioners?

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