The former chief prosecutor for the North West, current chancellor of the University of Manchester and Lowry Arts Centre trustee, Nazir Afzal, has been appointed as chair of social research, public policy, communications and culture change experts RISE North.
The Manchester-based start-up is strengthening its team following continued growth in its work supporting positive behavioural change in the workplace. Working with Afzal, RISE has carried out culture reviews of the London Fire Brigade, Nursing and Midwifery Council and Vico Homes among others.
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As well as helping organisations tackle toxic behaviours and improve productivity, the agency is extending its offer to helping achieve cultural alignment for mergers and also runs select campaigns on key social issues. Last month it delivered its Class Ceiling review of working class participation in the arts across Greater Manchester, which was co-chaired by Afzal and described as “a pioneering inquiry” by the Guardian – the report found that more than 50% of working class respondents in the city region’s creative sector had experienced harassment or bias due to their social background, and called for discrimination against working-class people in the cultural fields to be made illegal.
Founded by Matt Baker, RISE works across sectors including health, regeneration, housing, local government, emergency services, education and community development, providing research, strategic plans, advisory services, communications and engagement.
Afzal said he was delighted to be taking on a new challenge: “RISE has a clear social mission and I’ve been impressed by the work they are doing,” the former chief prosecutor said. “I’ve spent most of my career picking up the pieces when things go wrong, so I am especially pleased to join a business that works to create positive and inclusive communities and workplaces where everyone can thrive.”
