Baroness Usha Prashar serves as a crossbench member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, where she has built a distinguished career in public service, governance, and justice reform. She holds a BA in Politics from the University of Leeds and pursued postgraduate studies in Social Administration at the University of Glasgow.
Over the years, Baroness Prashar has held prominent positions, including Director of the Runnymede Trust, Executive Chair of the Parole Board of England and Wales, First Civil Service Commissioner, and inaugural Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission. Her leadership has played a crucial role in promoting equity, transparency, and accountability within public institutions.
As an advocate for diversity and inclusion, she has been instrumental in shaping UK policy through her involvement in national commissions and advisory boards. She has also served as Chancellor of De Montfort University and held non-executive roles with major media organizations like Channel 4 and ITV.
Baroness Prashar’s work bridges civil society, academia, and government. She has championed initiatives that promote access, representation, and good governance, earning widespread respect as a reformer and role model.
Her lifetime dedication to public service was recognized with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2025, celebrating her contributions to civic leadership and her commitment to building inclusive institutions across sectors.