Andrea Simon appointed new Victims’ Commissioner for London
Claire Waxman OBE has welcomed the appointment of Andrea Simon as London’s next Victims’ Commissioner, hailing her successor as a "powerful champion" for the capital.
Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced Andrea Simon is set to become London’s new Victims’ Commissioner.
Andrea succeeds Claire Waxman OBE, who begins her new tenure as the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales in January.
Responding to the appointment, the incoming Victims’ Commissioner, Claire Waxman OBE said:
“I am thrilled by the appointment of Andrea Simon as London’s next Victims’ Commissioner. I can think of no one better suited to take up this mantle, and I know Andrea will be a powerful champion for all victims across the capital.
“As Director of EVAW since 2021, Andrea has proven herself a formidable campaigner, consistently holding power to account and delivering tangible change for women and girls experiencing VAWG. Her expertise has been vital to pioneering, nationally important work, including her role representing victims’ interests in the landmark David Gauke Sentencing Review.
“I have been privileged to work closely with Andrea for many years, notably as a valued colleague on the London Policing Board. I have long been grateful for her expert counsel and look forward to continuing our work together in our respective new roles. I wish her every success in this vital post and in the impact she will undoubtedly make.”
Andrea Simon takes up the role after five years as the Director of End Violence Against Women (EVAW) – a national coalition of more than 160 women’s support organisations, expert researchers and survivors working to end violence against women and girls (VAWG).
As well as her national work, Andrea Simon has been closely involved in supporting victims and reforming policing in London. She is a founding member of the Mayor’s London Policing Board and co-Chair of the London VAWG Board.
Andrea Simon was a member of the Independent Panel advising on the Government’s 2024 Sentencing Review and of the Reference Group for the Angiolini Inquiry set up after the murder of Sarah Everard.
The work of Andrea’s predecessor, Claire Waxman OBE, led to important changes in the Domestic Abuse Bill, Policing Bill and Victims and Prisoners Bill, the reform of the Victims’ Code in 2021 and the creation of Operation Soteria – now a national programme to transform the prosecution of rape.