Reach Society
Reach Society

A Tribute to the First Patron of Reach Society Lord Herman Ouseley By Dr Dwain Neil OBE, Reach Society, Chairman

It is with deepest sadness that I share the news of the passing of our beloved patron Lord Herman Ouseley on 2 October 2024 aged 79. He will be sorely missed by everyone in Reach Society (the Society) and the wider community. 

Herman was one of the first supporters of the Society’s work to inspire young people. When Dr Keith Davidson and I approached him during the first year of the Society and asked him to be our patron he did not hesitate; and gave us his full support. In the early years he made it his duty to attend the very first annual Careers Conference hosted in HMS President, the building. There he spoke passionately about the importance of young people developing their talents; and he answered all of their questions. 

As more such events were rolled out in Westminster Central Hall and the Charing Cross hotel he was present on the Kick It Out stand (for which he was the founder and Chairman for 25 years) and supported the launch of the Society’s first book – “Our Story By Us For Us; The Story of British People of African Caribbean descent”. 

He was also an active supporter of the annual Recognition Awards dinners in which the Society publically thanked corporate supporters and volunteers for their support of the inspirational events. Herman also encouraged the Society to write and publish its book collection because he fully understood the importance of changing the narrative about our community. Herman has played a huge part in the development of the Society.  

Herman was committed to public service and he encouraged young people to consider a career in the public sector where they could contribute to progressive and inclusive policy changes from within. 

Herman always took my calls when I needed advice and guidance on issues facing the Society, and his advice was always worth having. I got to know Herman when I served with him as a Commissioner at the Commission for Racial Equality, CRE (in which he was the Chairman and Chief Executive for several years from 1993) for roughly 10 years; and we forged a friendship while serving at the CRE and remained close ever since. I will personally miss him and I feel sure that everyone who knew him will do too. The Society sends its deepest condolences to his family for their loss.