A councillor and empowerment leader has been appointed as the borough’s first ever cabinet member for equalities and cohesion.

Cllr Sade Bright, who represents Chadwell Heath ward, will be responsible for delivering the objectives of the council’s Gender Equality Charter, and working to build cohesion across the community.

A trained lawyer and former speaker of Hackney, the mum-of-three has led the borough’s women empowerment months for the past two years.

The 52-year-old also runs two charities – Bright Futurez and Pennu – and is “very excited” about starting her new job.

“Appointing me to this role is something I think I can do very well, with my eyes closed,” she said. “It’s something I’m really passionate about.

“I believe that we are all equal and should work together as a community. No-one can be left behind.”

A former HR manger with more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Cllr Bright wants to see the women of the borough take the lead in their own lines of work.

“I want to see more women in leadership positions,” she added.

“I want to see more women in the cabinet and starting up their own businesses.

“When a woman is happy, the home is happy. When you’ve trained a woman, you’ve trained a nation.”

Wife of maths tutor Gbolahan Ayorinde, who was made an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list last year, Cllr Bright’s appointment takes the number of women in cabinet to six out of 10.

Announcing the move, council leader Cllr Rodwell said: “It’s vital as we move forward with our growth ambitions that no one is left behind and everyone feels they are part of the future of the borough.

“Cllr Bright has a strong background in community engagement and will play a central role in making sure this happens.”

Last month the council became the first in the country to adopt a gender equality charter which promises to create a fair and just society where people are treated equally, discrimination is tackled and the barriers to achieving equality removed.