A heartfelt thank you to our esteemed Board Members, staff, and guests for joining us at our Annual General Meeting held on 10 April 2026. The meeting was chaired by Foysol Choudhury MBE (Former Member of the Scottish Parliament), and we extend our sincere appreciation for his continued leadership, guidance, and vision for the organisation.
The event began with a tribute to the remarkable work and legacy of Professor Sir Geoff Palmer OBE, KT, followed by a minute’s silence. Sir Geoff was not only an honorary member but also one of the founding figures of ELREC in the 1970s. We are deeply grateful for his invaluable contributions—his legacy will always remain an integral part of our organisation.
We were inspired by insightful updates from our guest speakers. David Clark (Police Scotland) shared important updates on policing work and raised awareness about hate crime. Lucien Staddon Foster and Sholen Macpherson (Race Equality Researcher) presented their collaborative research work with us on Black and racially minoritised communities in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Full details of the updates and reports can be accessed via the links below –
Police Scotland’s Updates
Report by Lucien Staddon Foster and Sholen Macpherson (Race Equality Researcher)
It was also a pleasure to welcome councillors Cammy Day, Katrina Faccenda, and Tim Pogson to share our work with them.
Our projects and activities throughout 2024–2025 have focused on promoting equality and diversity through a wide range of initiatives—from women’s wellbeing and energy advice services to environmental projects, community workshops, creative programmes, cycling initiatives, and more.
At ELREC, we remain committed to bringing people together, empowering communities with new skills, and breaking down barriers. Despite capacity and other challenges, our dedication to creating equal opportunities for all remains steadfast. Through collaboration and partnership, we continue to work towards shared values and a more inclusive society.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Foysol Choudhury MBE, Chair, and Rajnish Singh, Company Secretary.
To read our 2024–2025 Annual Report, click on the link below-
