Lord Bernard Hogan-Howe sits in the House of Lords as a Crossbench Peer and is widely recognised as one of the UK’s most accomplished leaders in policing, security and public protection. His academic background includes a degree in Law from Oxford University, an MBA from Sheffield University and a Diploma in Criminology from Cambridge. He also holds multiple honorary doctorates and fellowships, including from Merton College, Oxford. His professional achievements are rooted in a remarkable personal story that began in the Sheffield East End, raised by a single mother in challenging circumstances.
Bernard served as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, leading an organisation of more than 50,000 people with a budget of £4 billion. During his tenure, he was responsible for keeping nine million Londoners safe while also leading the UK’s National Police Counter Terrorism Network. Before this, he held senior roles including Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary and Chief Constable of Merseyside, consistently delivering reductions in crime and improvements in efficiency across each command.
Since retiring from policing, Bernard has continued to advise governments, global institutions and public bodies. His work includes advising HSBC on economic crime, serving as a Non-Executive Director at the Cabinet Office, and acting as an adviser to the New Zealand Royal Commission following the Christchurch mosque attacks in which 51 people were tragically killed. He has also supported police forces facing crises or seeking to strengthen leadership, governance and operational performance.
In the private sector, Bernard now chairs a specialist organisation focused on tracing disputed assets and missing individuals, with particular expertise in the discovery and restraint of digital currencies. He continues to contribute to public discourse through media commentary, speaking engagements and his own podcast, offering insight on policing, leadership and security.
Outside professional life, Bernard has a longstanding passion for horse riding, golf and football, and remains a committed supporter of Sheffield Wednesday.