Dame Vera Baird DBE KC

Dame Vera Baird began her career as a criminal barrister, later Queen’s Counsel, before being elected as Member of Parliament for Redcar in 2001. Whilst an MP, she served as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice between 2007-8 and then as Solicitor General for England and Wales from 2008 to 2010.

Going on to serve as Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria between 2012 and 2019, Dame Vera was also national lead for supporting victims on the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, and was Victims Commissioner for England and Wales between 2019 and 2022.

Awarded a DBE for Services to Women and Equalities in 2017, Dame Vera is currently Visiting Professor in Practice at London School of Economics’ Mannheim Centre.