Back to: Our people

Vice Presidents

Former Presidents and Presidents Elect of Humanists UK become Vice Presidents. You can read about our current Vice Presidents on their Patron pages via the links below.

Our former President and Vice President Claire Rayner OBE died on 11 October 2010. She was our President from 1999 – 2004, and was followed by Linda Smith, and then, from July 2007 to 2012, Polly Toynbee. From 2012 to 2015 our President was Professor Jim Al-Khalili. From 2015 to 2018, our President was Shappi Khorsandi.

You are here: About us > Our people > Vice Presidents

More in this section

Our campaigns »

We want pupils from all different backgrounds educated together in a shared environment, rather than separated according to the religious beliefs of their parents. Find out more.

We want a country where institutions such as Parliament are separate from religious organisations, and everyone is treated equally, regardless of their beliefs. Find out more.

Human rights and equality

As humanists, we support the right of every person to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be allowed to speak, and believe, as they wish. Find out more.

Humanist marriages

Humanist marriages are currently legally recognised in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but not England and Wales. Elsewhere, couples having a humanist ceremony must also have a separate civil marriage. We work to change that. Find out more.

Religious education

We think it’s vital that every young person learns about the different religions that are common in the UK today, as well as humanism. We work to ensure that such education is critical, objective, and pluralistic. Find out more.

Bishops in the House of Lords

26 Church of England bishops sit as of right in the House of Lords, amending legislation. This unique privilege is unfair, unjustified and unpopular. Find out more.

We believe individuals should have a right to decide to end their life if they are suffering, and that relatives and doctors should be able to assist that person. Find out more.

Email Updates

Sign up as a supporter and we'll keep you up to date by email about all of our work for a fair and equal society. Click here to see our Privacy Policy.

Find a celebrant »

Login

Search Humanists UK