The House of Lords Appointments Commission has announced two new non-partisan appointments to the upper chamber, recognizing health and social policy leaders for their national contribution to public life.
Professor Dame Clare Gerada (pictured) and Polly Neate CBE have been recommended as cross-party colleagues and will join the House of Lords as independent members not affiliated to a political party.
Professor Dame Clare Gerada has worked as an NHS GP since 1983 and has focused her career on mental health, addiction treatment and primary care reform. She is a senior partner at the Hurley Group, which has grown into a large network of GPs and emergency services across London, particularly in deprived areas.
Gerada is widely recognized for her leadership roles across the UK healthcare system. She was Chair (2010-2013) and later President (2021-2023) of the Royal College of General Practitioners, leading the organization through a period of reform.
She also founded and ran the NHS Practitioner Health Service, which provides confidential support to healthcare professionals in mental health and addictions, and later founded the National Primary Care Gambling Service.
In addition to her clinical work, Gerada co-chaired the NHS Assembly (2019-2025), advised NHS England on the implementation of the NHS Long Term Plan and is chair of the charity Doctors in Distress, which campaigns for suicide prevention among healthcare professionals.
Polly Neate CBE, who stepped down as Shelter’s chief executive in April 2025 after almost eight years, is known for her advocacy on housing, homelessness and women’s rights.
During her tenure, she redefined Shelter’s long-term strategy by advocating for greater investment in social housing, strengthening community engagement and leading strategic litigation to combat housing discrimination.
Previously, Neate was chief executive of Women’s Aid (2013-2017), where she delivered financial turnaround and led the campaign that led to the criminalization of coercive and controlling behavior.
Her previous career includes senior positions at Action for Children, where she oversees public policy, communications and fundraising, and she continues to contribute to several non-executive and voluntary civil society bodies.
The House of Lords Appointments Commission, an independent advisory body established in 2000, identifies outstanding individuals to serve as party political colleagues based on their merits and expertise.
Since its inception, the Commission has recommended 78 independent peers from approximately 6,500 nominations. In addition, all nominations from life peers, including from political parties, are checked for accuracy.
The current commission is chaired by Baroness Ruth Deech. Members include Professor Adeeba Malik CBE DL, Wayne Reynolds, Rt Hon Sir Hugh Robertson and party nominees from Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.
Baroness Deech said the appointments reflect the range of professional experience and civic leadership that strengthen cross-party contribution to parliamentary scrutiny:
“Both Dame Clare Gerada and Polly Neate have demonstrated exceptional public service and commitment to improving lives in their respective areas. Their insights will greatly enrich the work of the House.”
