Catherine Stihler to take up new role after 20 years as MEP

Scottish MEP Catherine Stihler will stand down from the European Parliament at the end of January after nearly 20 years as an MEP.

Catherine Stihler | Photo credit: European Parliament audiovisual

By Martin Banks

Martin Banks is a senior reporter at the Parliament Magazine

03 Jan 2019


Stihler has been named as the new Chief Executive Officer of global non-profit organisation Open Knowledge International and will take up the post in February.

Under the Brexit proposals, UK MEPs are due to leave their roles by March 29, 2019, meaning Stihler will be resigning just eight weeks earlier than expected.

Open Knowledge International is a non-profit organisation which helps groups access and use data to address social problems.


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Stihler told this website, “It has been a privilege to represent the Labour Party and serve as an MEP for Scotland for nearly two decades. I was the youngest British MEP when first elected at 25 in 1999, and I witnessed the EU expand and reform to bring nations closer together in the interests of co-operation and peace."

"I have seen first-hand the positive and lasting impact that EU membership has had on our economy, workers’ rights, and consumer protection."

“I am now relishing an exciting new challenge and opportunity with Open Knowledge International. Digital skills and data use have always been a personal passion, and I am eager to assist groups across the world to create and share open knowledge and encourage the next generation to understand that information is power which can be used to address poverty and other social challenges.”

Tim Hubbard, Chair of the Open Knowledge International board, said, “We are delighted to welcome Catherine to our team. She has years of experience in shaping policy and using evidence and openness to help address global challenges such as climate change, internet freedoms and public health."

"I was the youngest British MEP when first elected at 25 in 1999, and I witnessed the EU expand and reform to bring nations closer together in the interests of co-operation and peace. I have seen first-hand the positive and lasting impact that EU membership has had on our economy, workers’ rights, and consumer protection" Catherine Stihler MEP

“Catherine has demonstrated an ability to bring people together, building coalitions and trust in a world that really needs it. She has translated complicated and technical knowledge around digital skills, copyright and AI to help shape European policy, making a real and lasting difference for hundreds of millions of people."

“Her dynamism, energy and commitment will be invaluable for the open movement as we face the new challenges of the 21st century,” he added.

Stihler has represented Scotland in the European Parliament since 1999. In this time she has held many and varied roles from Deputy Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party (EPLP) to Editor of The Parliament Magazine. Over the years, she has been praised as an ambassador for accessibility, consumer and citizens rights.

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