His appointment for 6 months initially will involve working across government and with external partners to advise on how to tackle extremism in all its forms, including on the future role of the commission and on how government could further harness innovative thinking within the academic and think-tank sector on tackling extremism.
Mr Simcox's appointment follows the end of Sara Khan's 3 year tenure leading the Commission. The former Lead Commissioner has been appointed by the Prime Minister as Independent Advisor on Social Cohesion and Resilience at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government. The Home Secretary today wrote to Sara Khan to express her thanks for her contribution as Lead Commissioner of the Commission for Countering Extremism.
Prior to founding the UK-based Counter Extremism Group, Mr Simcox previously served as a research fellow at the renowned Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C. A leading expert in the field of extremism, he has testified before US Congress on multiple occasions on issues related to Islamist terrorism.
Robin Simcox said:
It's a great honour to be appointed the Interim Lead Commissioner for Countering Extremism. I look forward to building upon the valuable work already undertaken by Sara Khan and her team.
Extremism is a scourge that has the potential to impact us all. There can be no place for it in the UK.
I hope to be able to translate my experience in the counter-extremism field into recommendations that can help the government make headway on this key issue.
Minster for Countering Extremism, Baroness Williams said:
The government remains committed to tackling extremism and disrupting those who seek to sow hatred and division in our communities and radicalise others.
The important work of the Commission for Countering Extremism will continue, and I'm delighted Robin Simcox will bring his expertise and innovative thinking to this role.
I'd also like to thank Sara Khan for her dedication as Commissioner over the past 3 years and the significant contribution she has made to the government's approach to tackling extremism.
