Charlotte Buckley Appointed as BID Director

Charlotte Buckley was today announced as BID’s new director. She joined the team on Monday and is already getting stuck in.

Charlotte has practised immigration and asylum law for 16 years, beginning her career as an Accredited Senior Caseworker at Refugee and Migrant Justice. She has represented clients in Legal Aid and private law firms, in addition to the third sector.

At Just for Kids Law, she established and managed the immigration department, which specialised in representing young adults in the criminal justice system, who were the subject of deportation provisions. Charlotte has represented clients and worked frequently in prisons, young offender institutions and detention centres.

Charlotte has built her career with a focus on ensuring access to justice for vulnerable migrant populations, more recently through the leadership and development of migrant sector organisations. 

As CEO of Hackney Migrant Centre, she led the charity through strategic reform, as the organisation became OISC-accredited and began to provide in-house immigration advice. She is firmly committed to BID’s mission and values. We welcome her to the team.

Charlotte said:

“I have worked alongside BID and been aware of its reputation throughout my legal career. It is a privilege to join its talented and committed team of staff, volunteers and trustees. Annie leaves the legacy of a highly successful organisation, respected by its peers and lawmakers alike, that places clients’ needs at the centre of the design and delivery of its services. BID’s work is more important than ever, and I offer a commitment to continue BID's work to end unlawful and inhumane detention conditions in the UK."

Suhan Rajkumar, BID’s chair of trustees, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Charlotte as BID's new Director. Charlotte has significant experience of strategic leadership in the sector, and hands-on knowledge of the legal frameworks which we work within for our clients. We are excited for Charlotte to take on our work, together with our brilliant staff and volunteer team. Charlotte shares our passion and determination to end immigration detention, and we look forward to her leadership of BID - building on the legacy left by our former Director Annie Campbell, who will remain a good friend of BID, as she moves on after 4 years leading the organisation.”