Sonya Sceats

Currently chief executive of the charity Freedom from Torture, Ms Sceats will join the institute in April.

She brings to BIICL over two decades of executive leadership, advisory and research experience in international law, including 16 years as an associate fellow in international law at Chatham House.

Eve Salomon CBE, chair of the BIICL board of trustees, said: “On behalf of the trustees of BIICL, I am delighted that Sonya will be joining us as our new director and chief executive.

“With her experience of successful leadership of a charity with international reach and her knowledge and experience in international law, she will bring strategic vision as well as effective delivery to the institute as we find a stronger, impactful voice in support of international cooperation and the rule of law.”

Ms Sceats said: “I am very motivated to help bring the intellectual clout of BIICL to the urgent task of highlighting the critical role of international law in promoting a just, peaceful and stable world.

“Building on BIICL’s immense expertise and track record for policy impact, our aim is to make BIICL the ‘go to’ institute for independent analysis about how to promote and uphold the rule of law as a check on abuse of power at the global and national levels.

“As recent events around the world demonstrate, our mission has never been more important.”