Lord Dr Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE has had a multifaceted and impactful career spanning various sectors. He initially worked in government to enhance employment and development in Britain’s inner cities. His contributions included serving as a Commissioner with the Commission for Racial Equality, being the first minority member on the Metropolitan Police Committee and advising the Met Police Commissioner. He founded Crime Concern in 1988 and later merged it with the Rainer Foundation to create CATCH 22, a prominent crime prevention agency in the UK. This led to him receiving a CBE in 2003 for his contributions to crime reduction and community safety. He also played significant roles in the media, with positions at TVAM, GMTV, and the BBC, before transitioning to corporate affairs roles, including serving as KPMG International’s Global Head of Citizenship until his retirement in 2019.
In addition to his professional achievements, Lord Hastings has been deeply involved in various humanitarian and charitable activities. He was conferred a Life Peerage in 2005 and serves as an Independent Peer in the House of Lords, participating in select committees and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association work. He received recognition for his efforts in international development, including the UNICEF Award for his work on positive solutions for Africa’s children. He held important positions at organizations like Vodafone Group Foundation, UNICEF UK, and TEAR FUND, while also contributing to the Millennium Promise Initiative with a focus on Ghana. His academic Honors include a Doctorate in Civil Law from the University of Kent, and he became the Chancellor of Regent’s University London in 2017. His achievements were further acknowledged with the Stephen R Covey Principle – Centered Leadership Award in 2019.