Skip to content

Steve Bassam (The Rt Hon the Lord Bassam of Brighton)

Governor

Lord Bassam entered the House of Lords in 1997 and was a member of the last Labour Government as a Lords Whip, a Minister at the Home Office and Government Chief Whip. Previous roles include Shadow Spokesperson for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and Shadow Spokesperson for Business, Energy, Industrial Strategy and International Trade.

Lord Bassam served as the Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Lords and a member of the Shadow Cabinet between 2010 and 2018, during which time he also sat on several House of Lords Committees including the Privileges and Conduct Committee and the Procedure Committee. He recently chaired a House of Lords Select Committee investigating the Regeneration of Seaside Towns. Its final report was widely welcomed as an important contribution to economic regeneration policy development. In April 2019, Lord Bassam was appointed a Shadow Minister for Education with special responsibility for Further and Higher Education. In April 2020, he was appointed Shadow Minister for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy & International Trade in addition to his Education responsibilities. 

Lord Bassam was Leader of Brighton and then Brighton and Hove City Council from 1986/7 to 1999. In addition to his political career he has worked as a social worker and legal adviser for local authorities and in management consultancy for KPMG and Capita. 

Lord Bassam is a keen cricketer and supporter of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club. He also supports the Brighton Festival and is a Trustee of the Brighton Royal Pavilion. 

Steve Bassam (The Rt Hon the Lord Bassam of Brighton)
Governor
;