Rizwan Rehman  I  EMRI Community Co-Chair

Rizwan Rehman BEM is a highly experienced public sector leader with over 25 years of management and strategic leadership within local government. He has led major programmes across employment and skills, workforce development, public health, neighbourhood services and corporate strategy. His work has included the delivery and management of multi-million-pound initiatives and large partnership programmes involving public, private and voluntary sector organisations.

Rizwan has particular expertise in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), governance, organisational change and community engagement. Throughout his career he has been recognised for translating strategic policy into practical delivery, building high-performing teams, and fostering strong collaborative partnerships to address complex social challenges. He has extensive experience in policy development, programme leadership, mediation, and strategic workforce planning.

In addition to his professional leadership roles, Rizwan has significant governance, accountability and public contribution experience. He has served as Chair of Governors and board member across several education and community organisations and is currently a Director of Pennine Academies Yorkshire. He is also a Research Champion and Public Contributor and Advisory member on Be Part of Research, part of National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Rizwan was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours for Services to Education, recognising his longstanding contribution to educational governance, community engagement and equality work.

He holds an MSc in Diversity Management from the University of Bradford and has undertaken extensive professional development in leadership, governance, mediation, coaching, mentoring and organisational development.