Rachel Riley has received the Freedom of the City of London, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Holocaust education and antisemitism campaigning work.
Rachel was nominated by Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King, and City Corporation Elected Member, Alderman Tim Levene, and attended her ceremony at the Lord Mayor’s official residence, The Mansion House, with family members, friends, and colleagues.
At the forefront of a campaign against antisemitism after being targeted on social media, Rachel delivered a speech at the Holocaust Educational Trust in Parliament, which was subsequently published in The Times. In 2023, she was awarded an MBE for her services to Holocaust education and antisemitism awareness.
On television, she is best known as the ‘numbers expert’ on Channel 4’s Countdown, which she has co-presented since 2009, and on the comedy spin-off, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. She has been a host on Channel 5’s The Gadget Show, ITV’s It’s Not Rocket Science and guest hosts on Scala Radio. An avid Manchester United fan, Rachel has presented Fantasy Football Club and Friday Night Football on Sky Sports.
Rachel is passionate about getting young people, in particular, girls, involved in STEM (science, engineering, technology, mathematics) subjects and has championed a number of National Numeracy initiatives.
Her first book, At Sixes and Sevens, aimed to improve adults’ maths skills and was inspired by many parents reaching out to her during COVID lockdowns, and who were struggling with home schooling.
Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King, said:
“Rachel Riley’s Freedom of the City of London is richly deserved, because it recognises her courage in using her public platform to campaign against antisemitism, and her sterling work to encourage young people to find their own voice and call out racism whenever they hear and see it.
“Rachel is also to be commended for her Holocaust education work, which has seen her visit Auschwitz and meet with Jewish leadership groups and survivors of this horrendous chapter in our collective history.”
Alderman Tim Levene said:
“Rachel Riley is a truly deserving recipient of one of our city’s oldest traditions. She has become one of the UK’s most important voices against antisemitism, speaking with clarity and bravery at a time when it is needed most. We are not just recognising her considerable public profile, but her profound public service in the cause of tolerance and education.
“In honouring her, the City of London Corporation reaffirms its own commitment to fighting prejudice in all its forms.”
Speaking after her Freedom ceremony, Rachel Riley said:
“It’s such a huge honour to receive the Freedom of the City of London. Sadly, since I first began speaking out, antisemitism has only become more visible, and many Jewish people feel less welcome and less safe in our own homeland of Britain.
“But this Freedom is a powerful reminder that the work to challenge this prejudice is being valued, and that there are still wonderful British institutions and people who genuinely care about our community and stand up for what’s right. That gives me hope for the future.”
One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade.
As well as being nominated for, or applying for, the Freedom, it is also offered by the City of London Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.
Recent high-profile recipients include journalist, author, and TV and radio presenter, Robert Elms; former professional boxer, Michael Watson; choreographer and director, Sir Matthew Bourne; comedian, actor, and author, Sir Lenny Henry; and broadcaster, presenter, and talent show judge, Oti Mabuse,
ENDS
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