Halima is the Director of the Runnymede Trust, the UK’s leading race equality think tank working to build a Britain in which all citizens and communities feel valued, enjoy equal opportunities, lead fulfilling lives, and share a common sense of belonging.

Halima also has extensive experience in international development: during a 20-year career with the UK government, she was First Secretary in a variety of overseas postings covering education, human rights, inclusive growth, public health and post-conflict recovery.

She subsequently served as a director of the British Council in Asia, helping to lead the UK’s soft power efforts in countries including China, before being appointed Vice President of the LEGO Foundation, heading up LEGO’s charitable offer in creativity, education and technology and now, to her current post.

In addition, Halima chairs the UK Women’s Environmental Network and serves as a trustee of Toynbee Hall. She holds a BSc and MSc from the London School of Economics, and a PhD from Queen Mary College. She has lived and worked for multi-year stints in Bangladesh, China, Denmark, Indonesia, Nepal and Pakistan, and been posted to numerous other countries.