Strategy International Group’s Advisory Board Member: The Lord Forbes of Newcastle CBE

“It is therefore with a sense of ambitious and generous collaboration, with a curiousness about how we can change things for the better, and with a fundamental belief in the dignity and equal value of all, that I approach my service to your Lordships’ House.” Lord Forbes of Newcastle CBE, Maiden Speech in the House of Lords on 22^nd January.

Shortly after he received an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law from Newcastle University in December 2025, Nick Forbes CBE was nominated by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to become a Labour Peer in the House of Lords. On 9^th January 2026 His Majesty the King conferred on him the title of Baron Forbes of Newcastle, of Heaton in the City of Newcastle upon Tyne, and on 13^th January he was introduced to the Lords and undertook the solemn affirmation, supported by Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top and Baroness Blake of Leeds.

Lord Forbes served as the Leader of the Newcastle City Council for over 10 years, and was the Council’s first LGBT leader. He was also a Senior Vice Chair of the Local Government Association Labour Group from 2016 to 2022. He served as a Shadow Cabinet Member from 2020 – 2022 under Starmer. A staunch advocate for social mobility and inclusion, he was the Chair of the Breaking Down Barriers Commission, part of the Purpose Coalition. He is a is a Senior Advisor at Strategy International working across British Expertise International (BEI) and its sister organisations, the British Foreign Policy Group and the D Group advising on the shifting political landscape at the national level. He is a Non-Executive Director at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

British Expertise International congratulates Lord Forbes on his elevation into the House of Lords and we look forward to continuing our collaborative partnership with him.