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David Isaac

British lawyer, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission in 2016

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About David Isaac

David Isaac was a lawyer and businessperson.

David Isaac, Baron Isaac, is a British solicitor and Provost of Worcester College, Oxford, where he took office in July 2021. He chairs the Court of Governors of University of the Arts London (2018–present) and the Henry Moore Foundation (2024–present). He is also a trustee of Cumberland Lodge.

Isaac was a partner at law firm Pinsent Masons. He chaired the LGBTQ rights charity Stonewall from 2003 to 2012 and chaired the contemporary art gallery Modern Art Oxford for almost two decades. and was a trustee of 14-18 NOW (2016–2019). Isaac was appointed as the chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission in 2016, serving in that capacity until August 2020.

Early life Isaac was born in Wales and attended King Henry VIII Grammar School in Abergavenny. He went on to study law at Trinity Hall, Cambridge and socio-legal studies at Wolfson College, Oxford. He attended the College of Law in Guildford to pass the Solicitors Final Examination (1979–80).

Pinsent Masons Isaac was a partner at Pinsent Masons law firm from 2000 to 2021. He was Head of the firm's advanced manufacturing and technology sector from 2014 – 2019 and Chair of the Pinsent Masons' Diversity and Inclusion group.

Equality and Human Rights Commission Isaac was appointed as Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission in 2016. He said that the Commission would use its legal powers more, do more for disability rights and make sure that human rights were protected during Brexit. His tenure came to an end in August 2020, and his initial replacement was interim chair Caroline Waters (previously deputy chair).

In 2021 Isaac claimed that the Equality and Human Rights Commission was "being undermined by political pressure" by the Second Johnson ministry.

Stonewall During his time as chair of Stonewall, the charity lobbied to secure legislative change, such as the abolition of Section 28 and the introduction of Civil Partnerships. and was ranked 36th in the Financial Times' OUTstanding Top 100 LGBT+ executives in October 2018. He was made an Honorary Fellow of St Catharine's College, Cambridge in May 2024. As part of the 2025 Political Peerages, Isaac was nominated to receive a life peerage to sit in the House of Lords as a Labour peer; he was created as Baron Isaac, of Abergavenny in the County of Monmouthshire on 19 January 2026.

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Important facts

Education
King Henry VIII School Abergavenny, Trinity Hall, Wolfson College
Positions held
Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission
Awards
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Also known as
Lord Isaac

Frequently asked questions

Who was David Isaac?

British lawyer, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission in 2016

What was David Isaac's occupation?

David Isaac was a lawyer and businessperson.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: David Isaac

· Wikidata: Q96318791

· DBpedia: David Isaac, Baron Isaac

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). David Isaac. https://biography.guide/david-isaac/

MLA: "David Isaac." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/david-isaac/.

Chicago: "David Isaac." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/david-isaac/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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