Expertise
William established IHRB’s presence in the Middle East in 2015, liaising closely with governments, embassies, state entities and major companies across the region, facilitating corporate engagement with issues such as worker welfare and risks around human trafficking and forced labour. He was based in Doha, Qatar from 2015-2019. At the same time, as Co-Head of IHRB’s Sports Programme, William also managed the process that led to the launch in 2018 of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, coordinating a broad coalition of actors in support of a mandate, strategy, and institutional structure for the Centre.
Current Work
William is Deputy Chief Executive of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, and continues to work part-time with IHRB as a Senior Advisor on labour rights projects in the Middle East, including with the ILO Project Office in Qatar. This includes input into research design, stakeholder engagement, project staffing, fundraising, and supporting the delivery of events and activities across the Middle East.
Before IHRB
William first worked in the field of responsible mega-sporting events in 2009 when he worked on the CSR programme of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He has a law degree (First Class Honours) from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), a Masters in International Relations from the University of Cambridge and a postgraduate diploma in legal practice. William then trained as a corporate lawyer, qualifying as a Solicitor with Slaughter and May in London. Before joining IHRB William worked in the Business and Human Rights Research Group at the University of Greenwich, researching CSR in extractive industries, mining-induced displacement and resettlement, public procurement, and electronics supply chains, also graduating with a research masters in public international law.
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21 February 2019
Commentary: Realising Workers’ Rights in Qatar – A Conversation
Freedom of association and choosing to belong or not belong to a trade union are integral parts of a free society and are fundamental rights. Trade unions can play a vital role in improving health and safety, addressing grievances, and promoting...
21 October 2019
By Jin Sook Lee, Global Campaign Director, Building and Wood Workers' International, Henriette McCool, Social Responsibility Manager, VINCI; former CSR Manager, QDVC, William Rook, Senior Advisor, Middle East, IHRB
Commentary: Migrant Worker Updates from the Gulf and South East Asia
IHRB's Migrant Workers Programme staff members provide updates from Qatar, Thailand and Myanmar on sector-wide progress. For more information on the work and upcoming events of IHRB and the Leadership Group for Responsible Recruitment, visit our...
14 March 2019
Commentary: Speaking Up - A Growing Advocacy Dimension to Corporate Leadership on Human Rights
Not so very long ago, human rights were primarily viewed by businesses as risks to their operations and reputations that needed effective management.
Today, we see growing recognition that risks to people must be addressed alongside risks to the...
08 June 2018
By William Rook, Senior Advisor, Middle East, IHRB
Commentary: Harm Free Sport - Aligning Sports Bodies, Sporting Values, and Human Rights
Several major sports governing bodies are making strides towards implementing their commitments to respect human rights throughout their operations.
Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen adoption of the International Olympic Committee’s new host city...
30 March 2018
By William Rook, Senior Advisor, Middle East, IHRB
Commentary: New Construction Sector Agreement on Protecting Vulnerable Workers
Worker exploitation and ongoing rights abuses in the construction sector are being tackled through a range of initiatives, including guidance from CIOB on tackling modern slavery in construction, the BRE Ethical Labour Standard, and the Stronger...
11 October 2017
By Neill Wilkins, Head of Migrant Workers Programme, IHRB, William Rook, Senior Advisor, Middle East, IHRB
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Commentary: Labour Rights in the Hospitality Sector in Qatar: A Moment of Opportunity
Hospitality represents a significant and growing sector in Qatar, with a concentration of major international hotel brands and high-end properties. New hotel openings will intensify in the run up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup which is expected to...
11 November 2019
By Alix Nasri, Technical Specialist, ILO Project Office in Qatar, William Rook, Senior Advisor, Middle East, IHRB