The British Humanist Association (BHA) is pleased to announce the appointment of three distinguished new Patrons from diverse areas of public life. They are Sue Cook, the author and former Children in Need and Crimewatch presenter; Sir Stephen Sedley, the retired Court of Appeal judge; and writer, stand‑up comedian, and actor Sara Pascoe.
The BHA has well over 150 Patrons who support its work in various ways through their expertise and prominence in various fields. Existing Patrons include significant figures from the spheres of science, philosophy, human rights activism, politics, the arts, and broadcasting. Alongside its Patrons, the BHA has a President and a number of Vice Presidents. From January 2016, its President will be writer and comedian Shappi Khorsandi, supported by Vice Presidents Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Polly Toynbee, and Professor A C Grayling.
These three newest Patrons of the BHA have all had successful careers in the media or in public life, and will now look to support the work of the BHA. Sue Cook’s television and radio credits span everything from breakfast television to national variety shows and primetime staples. She published her first novel, On Dangerous Grounds, in 2006, followed by Force of Nature in 2009.
Sir Stephen Sedley’s judgments have had a significant impact on the legal landscape of Britain today, with Sedley sitting as a judge on the both Court of Appeal and European Court of Human Rights, as well as being a member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. In 1998, he was tasked with training the judiciary in how to act following the implementation of the Human Rights Act. He has since lectured and published extensively on human rights and jurisprudence.
Sara Pascoe’s comedy credits include Live at the Apollo, well-received Edinburgh Fringe shows, and nearly the full range of primetime comedy panel shows: QI, Mock the Week, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Have I Got News for You, and more. As an actor, she has appeared in critically celebrated shows such as The Thick of It and Being Human. She has played a number of shows alongside the BHA’s own musical group, the London Humanist Choir, most recently in celebration of World Humanist Day. She is currently performing, backed by the London Humanist Choir, in a critically praised ‘Christmas Assembly’ at the Battersea Arts Centre.
BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson commented, ‘It’s a great pleasure to bring on board Sue, Sara, and Sir Stephen as Patrons of the BHA. Between them, they exemplify the diversity and breadth not just of our network of Patrons working to promote understanding of Humanism among the general public, but also the extent to which humanists continue to advance society across all areas of life – be those cultural, scientific, social, legal, or political.’
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The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.
The BHA’s full list of Patrons: https://humanists.uk/about/our-people/patrons/