Clive Smith to lead Infected Blood Memorial Committee

Written by Jessica Bomford, July 21, 2025

Clive Smith, President of the Haemophilia Society and our former chair, has been appointed Chair of the Infected Blood Memorial Committee which will work to create a national memorial to victims of the contaminated blood scandal.

The Infected Blood Inquiry recommended in May 2024 that a ‘meaningful’ national memorial should be created, paid for from the public purse.

Clive, who is a barrister, is the first appointment to the memorial committee and further appointments will follow, including its vice chair. He and the committee will consider a wide range of views and experiences of those infected and affected by the scandal. This project includes planning for a UK memorial and will also support memorials in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Clive said: ‘A memorial to the thousands who have died from the contaminated blood scandal is long overdue.  It is a great privilege to be asked to lead this important work on behalf of the community.  

‘I am conscious that we are already behind in relation to implementing the Infected Blood Inquiry’s recommendation that community events be held on a six-monthly basis post the inquiry reporting.  We intend to correct that by the end of this year.  

‘I look forward to working with the whole community across the UK on building an appropriate memorial to those we have lost and to act as a lasting memorial to the nation of what can happen when patient safety is not prioritised.’

We do not yet have the details of how many people will be on the committee or how they will be recruited. We understand a provisional budget has been set, but this has not been confirmed, nor has the timetable for the project been set out.

Conan McIlwrath, Chair of the Haemophilia Society, said: ‘Clive has all the skills needed for this sensitive but hugely important role. As chair of the Haemophilia Society until last year, Clive was heavily involved in our infected blood advocacy and support. He earned the respect and trust of all parts of the contaminated blood community by speaking up powerfully when needed, but also by listening compassionately to those impacted.

‘It will not be easy to find a consensus on the right memorial, but we can have confidence that Clive will go about the task with determination, professionalism and a willingness to listen.’

In line with the inquiry’s recommendation, the committee will also develop plans for commemorative events for the infected blood community and is planning to hold the first by the end of 2025.

Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds, said: ‘I am pleased that Clive Smith has accepted this role. He enjoys a great deal of support and trust within the infected and affected communities and I look forward to working with him to deliver a fitting memorial to the injustices that they have faced.’

Clive’s appointment was announced by Mr Thomas-Symonds in a statement to MPs on 21 July 2025.