The Right Honourable the Baroness Usha Prashar of Runnymede CBE, PC, an independent member of the House of Lords since 1999, has led and chaired a number of public and voluntary organisations with distinction.
She has also served as a non- executive director of a number of private sector organisations.
During her 47 year career spanning public, not for profit and private sector she has made significant contribution to public policy and public life in the UK.

In the House of Lords she is currently a Vice Chair of the Commonwealth All Party Parliamentary Group and member of the Joint House of Commons and House of Lords pre- legislative scrutiny committee on the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster Bill.

From 2014-17 she was a member of House of Lords European Union Select Committee and chair of its sub-committee on Home Affairs; from 2001 - 2009 member of Joint Committee on Human Rights; from 2006-2007 member of Committee on Regulators; from 2008- 2009 Chair of Committee for Privileges and Conduct; and from 2007 to date member Freedom of Information Advisory Panel.

Her other current activities include:
Chairman of Cumberland Lodge and non-executive director of Nationwide Building Society.
She is Honorary President of Community Foundations and the National Literacy Trust.
She is a Senior Fellow of Salzburg Global Seminar and Member of International Advisory Board of IE Business School in Madrid, Spain.

From December 2017 till November 2018 she was a member of the Independent Review Panel to tackle barriers to building of houses established by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the end of 2017.

Her significant previous roles have included:
Deputy Chairman, British Council, 2012-2018; Member, the Iraq Inquiry,2009-16; Inaugural Chairman, the Judicial Appointments Commission, 2005-10; First Civil Service Commissioner, 2000-05; Executive Chairman, the Parole Board of England and Wales,1997-2000; Member, Royal Commission on Criminal Justice, 1992-4; Member, Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct, 1991-7; Founder member, Energy Savings Trust, 1992-97; Organising and leading seminars for the Salzburg Seminar for 5 years entitled, 'non governmental organisations and democracy', 1992-97; Board member, Salzburg Seminar,1997-2002; Chief Executive, National Council for Voluntary Organisations, 1986-91; Senior Fellow, Policy Studies Institute, 1984 -86; Chief Executive, Runnymede Trust,1977-84; Assistant and then Conciliation Officer, former Race Relations Board, 1971-76;

Other former voluntary roles:
Chairman, 2001-07, and then President 2007-12,Royal Commonwealth Society; Founder, Deputy Chairman and then Chairman,the National Literacy Trust, 1992-2005; Chancellor,De Montfort University 2000-06; Member, Arts Council of England and Wales, 1978-81 and second term 1991-97; President,United Kingdom Council for International Student Affairs 2005-16; Trustee Cumberland Lodge 2007-17; Trustee, 2010-15 and now Governor,Ditchley Foundation;

Former Private sector roles:
Non - executive director of Channel 4, 1991-97; Non - executive director ITV 2002-08; Non - executive director Unite 2000-04.

Awards:
Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts,
Honorary Bencher, Inner Temple,
Senior Fellow, Salzburg Global Seminar,
Fellow of City and Guilds,
Companion,Chartered Institute of Management; and has been awarded Honorary Doctorates by a number of Universities.

In 1994 awarded CBE for public service, given a Peerage in 1999 and made a Privy Councillor in 2009.
2015 recognised as the most connected person by GQ Magazine.