Sajid Javid begins tenure as new Chair of Holocaust Memorial Day Trust
Twelve survivors attend House of Commons handover, as former Home Secretary vows to challenge hate
Sir Sajid Javid has officially been confirmed as Chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT), succeeding Laura Marks CBE after nine years of transformative leadership.
The announcement was made during a moving parliamentary reception on Monday evening, attended by 12 Holocaust survivors, MPs, community leaders and campaigners.
The event marked the end of an era for Marks – described by colleagues as a “mensch” and “rock” – and the start of a new chapter under Javid’s leadership at a time of growing concern about antisemitism, Holocaust distortion and social division.
“It’s been a huge privilege leading HMDT,” said Marks. “I’m delighted to leave it in such good hands with Sajid.”
She described 7 October as a “pivotal moment” that “changed everything”, adding that Holocaust Memorial Day has been “buffered by the pain, anxiety and emotions of so many different factions”. Despite this, she said, the Trust’s work remained “more essential than ever”.
Speaking to Jewish News after the event, Marks revealed she now plans to focus on interfaith and social cohesion work, including her ongoing involvement with the Women’s Faith Forum.
“The aim is to connect policymakers with voices that are often unheard – particularly faith-based women’s groups that bring communities together,” she said.
Sir Sajid, who previously served as Home Secretary, Chancellor and Communities Secretary, said he was “deeply honoured” to take on the role at a time of rising hate.
“My commitment to preserving the memory of the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and ensuring its lessons continue to resonate with future generations remains steadfast,” he said, “in the hope of upholding the dignity and humanity of all people.”
In a conversation with Jewish News, Sajid recalled a formative trip to Israel in his youth, including a visit to Yad Vashem.
“That, I found, was very difficult… but very profound, very moving,” he said. “As a young man I took a deep interest in the Holocaust – and my father did too.”
He also addressed the fact that he is not Jewish – something he said gave him pause when first approached about the role.
“I asked Laura, ‘Are you sure the Trust wants a non-Jewish person to do this?’” said Sajid. “And she said something very powerful: ‘We don’t need to convince Jews about the horrors of the Holocaust – they’re never going to forget. It’s the 99.5 percent of the British population that are not Jewish – and you can connect with them.’”
He added: “That really resonated with me. I want to get into more schools, more councils, more communities – to remind people where hatred leads.”
Holocaust survivor and HMDT trustee Joan Salter MBE told Jewish News she welcomed the appointment, while acknowledging it represented a shift.
“He will be different – but he’s dedicated. He genuinely cares,” she said. “That’s what made Laura so good – she got under the skin of the Holocaust. I believe Sajid Javid will bring his own strength to this next chapter.”
Olivia Marks-Woldman OBE, Chief Executive of HMDT, said the Trust was “honoured to welcome Sir Sajid Javid” and praised Marks’ “exceptional leadership”.
Marks will remain involved as Honorary Vice President and Chair of the Trust’s Experts’ Reference Group.
The event was hosted by MP Sarah Sackman, who praised Marks for embedding Holocaust remembrance “within the fabric of UK society” and welcomed Sajid as someone ready to guide the Trust into its next era.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis also welcomed the appointment, calling Sajid “an ideal choice”.
He said: “His distinguished record of public service and tireless dedication to combatting antisemitism make him perfectly suited to lead this vital organisation. The lessons of the Shoah are so essential at a time when there is an alarming increase in anti-Jewish hatred across the world.”
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