STORY
The government has appointed Reverend Clive Foster as the United Kingdom’s first Windrush Commissioner, a new independent role intended to drive real progress in addressing the injustices suffered by the Windrush generation. His appointment comes just days ahead of Windrush Day, which marks the anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush and honours the legacy of Caribbean migrants who helped rebuild Britain after the Second World War.
Reverend Foster, a senior pastor based in Nottingham, is a well-known advocate for the Windrush community and the son of Jamaican migrants. He has long worked on Windrush issues at both a local and national level, including founding a support forum and serving as a key figure in national campaigning efforts. In his new role, he will be expected to act independently of government, while working alongside officials to ensure that victims of the scandal are treated fairly and that ongoing policy reform is guided by those directly affected.
The creation of this role follows widespread criticism of the government’s handling of the Windrush compensation scheme and broader efforts to acknowledge and address the harm caused. Foster has already made clear that he sees the post as a vehicle for delivering real, visible change, stating that it’s not enough to offer warm words and apologies and what is needed is cultural transformation and practical accountability.