A former Rickmansworth student has made history as the first Black person to be appointed as chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales.
Barbara Mills KC left The Royal Masonic School for Girls (RMS) in 1986 and has since gone on to achieve phenomenal success.
Congratulating their former student, RMS said: “RMS for Girls is thrilled that alumna Barbara Mills KC has made history as the first Black woman to be appointed chair of the Bar Council.
“We are immensely proud of Barbara and celebrate this historic moment alongside her. Barbara’s appointment not only inspires the RMS community but also stands as a message of progress for the entire legal profession.”
This is the first time in its 131-year history that the Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has appointed a Black person as chair.
Barbara took over this role last month, at a time when there are only seven other Black female KCs.
The role of the Bar Council is to lead, represent and support the Bar in the public interest, championing the rule of law and access to justice.
In an interview with Channel 4, Barbara said: “I was called to the Bar in October 1990. There were people who said that the Bar was for a certain kind of person. So that discomfort of doing it anyway has always been with me.
“I didn’t need to become chair of the Bar to break a glass ceiling, to feel the shards. I can either lean into negativity or I can lean out of it. I’ve learnt over the years to lean out of it and focus on the positives.”
Barbara set out her priorities in her inaugural address on Wednesday January 8. These included tackling violence against women and girls; enhancing the wellbeing of the profession; advancing equality, diversity and inclusion; and advocating for the resources necessary to restore the justice system.
Her new role as chair will be supported by an all-female officer team – another national first.
Photo credit – Sarah Sackman KC MP X
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