Colin MacFarlane

Colin Macfarlane leads the operational management, policy, research, campaigning and social change work of Stonewall Scotland and have strategic oversight over Northern Ireland's partnership with the Rainbow Project.

He manages stakeholder relations, influencing, advocacy, communications and campaigns activity, which involves working constructively with government, political parties, civil society groups and the public and private sector to further human rights and equality work. He also leads on driving sustained growth and confidence in innovative Diversity Champions workplace, empowerment and Children and Young People’s programmes.

Before joining Stonewall, he was part of the transition team that worked on establishing the Equality and Human Rights Commission Scotland. As Head of Communications at the EHRC, he led the development of a series of debates on issues such as assisted dying, human trafficking and equal marriage, bringing together a wide range of groups and individuals to help shape the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s view. At the Disability Rights Commission, he led on advocacy and parliamentary engagement work on the Additional Support for Learning Act, building a coalition of disability organisations and parent groups and ensuring their participation in helping shape this key piece of legislation.