Councillor Maureen Goldthorpe has been appointed as Richmond Council's new Interfaith and Belief Champion, a role aimed at fostering stronger relationships between diverse faith and belief communities within the borough.
The appointment was confirmed during a meeting of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee on Thursday, 24 September 2026. The role is intended to promote mutual understanding and respect, with a particular focus on supporting Jewish and Muslim communities and challenging antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of religious hatred and discrimination.
Councillor Goldthorpe expressed her honour at taking on the position, stating her commitment to ensuring all communities feel included, valued, and a sense of belonging within the council. Her aims include playing a particular role in promoting understanding of the experiences of Jewish and Muslim communities.
To strengthen coordination and maximize opportunities for listening to all communities, a quarterly Champion meeting will be established from the 2026/27 financial year onwards. During these meetings, Member Champions will share key activities, resident and stakeholder engagement, identified issues, and recommendations for policy or service improvements. The outcomes of these quarterly meetings will then be incorporated into an annual report to the Policy and Performance Review Board, serving as a measure of success for the Champion's efforts.
The appointment was noted as part of the council's Annual Equality Report for 2025/26, which outlines the council's ongoing work in promoting equality and inclusion across Richmond. The establishment of regular meetings and an annual reporting mechanism suggests a sustained role for the Interfaith and Belief Champion.
For more details on the council's activities and reports, please refer to the Public reports pack for the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee.