Dr Brian Brivati – Chair of ExCo
Brian was appointed in January 2025 to lead the organisation’s work advocating for peace with justice and equality for Palestinians and Israelis. An historian specialising in the modern British Labour Party and genocide studies, he combines academic expertise with extensive experience in public policy and human rights. He has undertaken fieldwork across the Middle East, Africa and Ukraine, leading capacity-building initiatives and supporting civil society development.
Phyllis Starkey, Deputy Chair, BPP, Chair, Advocacy and Law Working Group
Dr. Starkey was Member of the House of Commons for the Labour party (1997-2010). Over the course of her career, Dr. Starkey served as Chair of the Select Committee for Communities and Local Government (2005-2010); PPS to Denis MacShane (2002-2005); member of the Modernisation of the House of Commons Select Committee (1999-2001) and National Chair of the Local Government Information Unit (1993-1997). Before entering Parliament, Dr. Starkey had a double career as a research scientist, leading her own research group in Oxford, and as a politician in local and national politics.
Mike Scott-Baumann, Chair, History and Education Working Group
Mike Scott-Baumann is a graduate of Cambridge University and has an MA in Palestine Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. He has thirty-five years’ experience as a history teacher and lecturer. He has written on the history of Israel/Palestine for students of GCSE and A Level and in 2021 Palestinians and Israelis: A Short History of Conflict was published by The History Press. He has travelled widely in the region and has worked in the Jordan Valley under the auspices of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions.
Tim Mattar, Treasurer
Timothy Mattar is a Chartered Accountant and has worked in the finance industry for nearly 40 years at Board level and as CEO of various institutions. His focus has been on private equity and other areas of private markets including real estate, hedge funds and private debt. He has worked at Investcorp both in the Middle East and globally (1995-2024), Banque Indosuez (1990-1995), Arthur Andersen (1988-1990) and Grant Thornton (1983-1988). He has a BA in History from London University.