Festus Akinbusoye
Festus Akinbusoye is a British Conservative politician who was elected as Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner at the 2021 election.[1] Akinbusoye is the first black Briton to be elected to this role. He is also the only PCC from a Black, Asian and Minority ethnic background following the 2021 election.[2]
Festus Akinbusoye | |
|---|---|
| Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner | |
| Assumed office 13 May 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Kathryn Holloway |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Nigeria |
| Political party | Conservative |
Early life
Akinbusoye emigrated to the UK from Nigeria as a thirteen-year-old with his parents and twin sister where they settled in Canning Town, East London.[3]
He studied at St Paul's Way School, Bow before studying A Levels at City of Westminster College. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Business Communications from London College of Printing and Distributive Trades and read for a Masters Degree in International Studies and Diplomacy at the School of Oriental and African Studies.[4]
Akinbusoye's experiences with Stop and Search as a young man growing up in London and time mentoring young offenders in prison shaped some of his approach towards policing.[5]
Political career
Akinbusoye has worked as Senior Parliamentary Assistant to Mark Lancaster, Iain Stewart and Ben Everitt.[4]
He stood as a Conservative candidate in the West Ham constituency in the 2015 United Kingdom general election coming second to Lyn Brown.[6]
Akinbusoye served as Chairman of Milton Keynes Conservatives from 2018 to 2021.[4]
References
- ^ Roffe, Erica (7 May 2021). "Festus Akinbusoye confirmed as Bedfordshire's new Police and Crime Commissioner". Bedford Independent. Progress Publishing. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ Rix, Bernard (11 May 2021). "PCC Election 2021: Results and Analysis". Policing Insight. CoPaCC. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)(registration required) - ^ "Festus Akinbusoye". Battle of Ideas Festival. Academy of Ideas. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ a b c Akinbusoye, Festus (10 May 2021). "Festus Akinbusoye". LinkedIn. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)(registration required) - ^ Gadher, Dipesh (16 May 2021). "First black Police and Crime Commissioner: I've been stopped and searched but I back it". Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Election result for West Ham (Constituency) - MPs and Lords". UK Parliament.