Electoral Commission makes key director appointments to its executive team

The Electoral Commission has announced the appointment of three permanent directors to its executive team. The appointments further strengthen the team as the Commission delivers its new five-year strategic plan and works on legislative reform across the UK that will see significant changes for voters, parties, campaigners and electoral administrators. 

Sam Hartley will join as Director of Policy, Research and Voter Engagement, returning to the Commission where he began his career. Sam is currently Secretary to the Omagh Bombing Public Inquiry. He is also a Commissioner for the Boundary Commission for Wales, and a Board member at the Association of Chief Executives. With a wider background in the constitutional and regulatory fields, he brings extensive senior leadership experience in the public sector, including roles in healthcare and constitutional regulators, and in the UK Cabinet Office.

Niki Nixon takes up the post of Director of Communications and External Affairs, following 12 months in the interim role. She previously led the Commission’s external communications function, having joined the organisation in 2018 from the housing sector. With extensive experience leading multidisciplinary communications teams across the public and not-for-profit sectors, she brings a strong track record in strategic communications and stakeholder engagement.

Alison Williams has been appointed as Director of Devolution and Law, and General Counsel. Alison was Legal Secretary to the Lord Chief Justice, joined the Ministry of Justice Legal Advisers to work on constitutional reform, and led on the Government's devolution strategy and coordination across all three devolution settlements, where she advised on electoral policy, electoral legislative reform, and electoral litigation. She currently leads the Europe, Human Rights and Trade team at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and is the UK Agent to the European Court of Human Rights. Alison brings a wealth of legislative experience, including on electoral policy and reform.

Vijay Rangarajan, Chief Executive at the Electoral Commission, said: 

“I am thrilled to welcome Alison, Sam and Niki to our executive team. Each brings a wealth of experience, expertise and energy. Their appointments mark a key chapter for the Commission as we look ahead to electoral changes expected across the UK, and begin to prepare voters and the electoral community. They join as we begin our preparations for a significant set of elections next May for the Scottish Parliament, Senedd and English local authorities.”

The Electoral Commission has a period of rapid change ahead of it, as it works to deliver its five strategic priorities: to support voters and increase participation; modernise the electoral system; safeguard and protect the system from threats; lead an informed debate about the future of elections; and strengthen the Commission itself and its delivery capacity. 

These priorities will be delivered alongside the Commission’s work on the legislation set out in the UK Government’s Strategy for modern and secure elections. The strategy sets out changes to the voting age, voter registration, political finance rules, and candidate protections. 

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For more information contact the Electoral Commission press office on 020 7271 0704, out of office hours 07789 920 414 or [email protected]