Shami Chakrabarti

Shami Chakrabarti served as the Director of Liberty (The National Council for Civil Liberties) for over a decade, beginning in September 2003. She first joined Liberty as In-House Counsel on September 10, 2001, just one day before the 9/11 attacks. This pivotal moment significantly influenced her work and that of the organization. Under her leadership, Liberty became heavily involved in high-profile campaigns that profoundly impacted its role and standing in the public sphere, particularly concerning human rights and civil liberties in the context of the "War on Terror."

Before her tenure at Liberty, Chakrabarti trained as a barrister, called to the Bar in 1994. She worked as a lawyer in the Home Office from 1996 until 2001, serving under governments of both persuasions. Her extensive experience in law and government provided a strong foundation for her subsequent advocacy work.

Throughout her leadership at Liberty, Chakrabarti was instrumental in elevating the organization's profile and influence, transforming it into a formidable force in lobbying and public debate. She oversaw Liberty's defense and promotion of human rights in Parliament and wider society, contributing to critical discussions and legislative changes. Chakrabarti has also contributed to literature with her book "On Liberty," a personal examination of rights and liberties. Additionally, she was a panel member of the Leveson Inquiry into phone hacking and carried one of the eight white Olympic flags at the London 2012 opening ceremony. Beyond her role at Liberty, Chakrabarti is Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, a Governor of the London School of Economics and the British Film Institute, and a Visiting Fellow of Nuffield College, Oxford, and a Master of the Bench of Middle Temple.