Herman Ouseley, Baron Ouseley – Eyes Only Archive

Herman Ouseley, Baron Ouseley (24 March 1945 – 2 October 2024) was a British politician, public administrator, and autobiographer, born in British Guiana, who became one of the most consequential figures in race equality policy in the United Kingdom. He is best known for founding the campaign “Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football” in 1993, which was formalised as an organisation in 1997 and became known as Kick It Out, with Ouseley serving as its chair for 25 years. Across a career spanning local government, national equality bodies, sport, and charitable work, he accumulated 13 honorary degrees from universities across the United Kingdom.

Key facts

Born: 24 March 1945
Birthplace: British Guiana
Died: 2 October 2024
Country: United Kingdom
Occupation: politician; autobiographer
Awards: honorary doctor of the University of Leicester; honorary doctor of the University of Edinburgh; doctor honoris causa of the University of Warwick; Knight Bachelor

Early Life and Education

Herman Ouseley was born on 24 March 1945 in British Guiana. He received part of his secondary education at William Penn School, where he sat two A-Levels before moving on to further education at Catford College.

Career in Local Government and Race Relations

From 1981, Ouseley served as Principal Race Relations Adviser and head of the Greater London Council’s Ethnic Minority Unit, a role that placed him at the centre of efforts to embed race equality into the administration of one of the world’s largest cities.

He also served as an advisory member of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and as a former independent adviser to HM Revenue and Customs on its equality and diversity development activities, roles that extended his influence across the machinery of British public institutions.

Kick It Out and Football

In 1993, Ouseley founded the campaign known as “Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football.” It was established as a formal organisation in 1997 and became known as Kick It Out. He chaired the organisation for 25 years.

Paul Elliott, writing the Football Association’s official tribute after Ouseley’s death, described him as “the single most influential person who has impacted football and communities in racial equality and race relations.”

Commission for Racial Equality and Black History Month

While serving as chair and chief executive of the Commission for Racial Equality, Ouseley championed the promotion of National Black History Month as a significant national event in 1999. He was also instrumental in producing the first National Black History Month magazine, helping to establish the event as a fixture in the national calendar.

Charitable Work

From 1997 to 2019, Ouseley chaired the Chandran Foundation, formerly known as the Preset Education Charity, a London-based charity dedicated to providing educational and employment opportunities for disadvantaged young people.

Honours and Honorary Degrees

Ouseley received a Knight Bachelor and honorary degrees from multiple universities, including the University of Leicester, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Warwick, the last of which awarded him a doctor honoris causa.

In November 2003, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws from London South Bank University, presented by Chancellor Sir Trevor McDonald. In 2011, the University of Staffordshire awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his expertise in equality and diversity matters and his work tackling racism in sport. In total, he held 13 honorary degrees from universities across the United Kingdom, including the universities of Sheffield Hallam and Bradford.

Personal Life

Herman Ouseley married Margaret Neill, a teacher, in 1972. She survived him, along with their son and daughter.

Death and Legacy

Ouseley died on 2 October 2024. His passing fell on the second day of Black History Month in the United Kingdom, a circumstance noted as particularly poignant by FA official Paul Elliott.

Tributes were paid by Lord Paul Boateng, the United Kingdom’s first Black Cabinet Minister, Lord Woolley, and former footballer Troy Townsend MBE, among many others.

Portraits of Herman Ouseley, Baron Ouseley are held in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Did you know

Ouseley’s approach to recruiting football clubs for the early Kick It Out campaign included a calculated use of rivalry: he would tell Manchester United that the campaign was worth joining because Manchester City had already agreed to participate. (pressreader.com)
Ouseley accumulated a total of 13 honorary degrees from universities across the United Kingdom, among them the universities of Edinburgh, Sheffield Hallam, Bradford, and Leicester. (kids.kiddle.co)

Data sources

Data updated: 2026-10-30