NCVO: Simon Blake becomes new Compact Voice Chair

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Wednesday, 13, Feb 2008 12:00

Simon Blake, Chief Executive of sexual health charity Brook and long time advocate of the Compact, has been appointed the new Chair of Compact Voice. Blake, who was chosen because of his passionate leadership role in the voluntary sector and his frequent use and championing of the Compact, will start immediately.

The main aim of the new Chair will be to lead the sector in improving relationships with government and to improve awareness and implementation of the Compact.

Blake said:

‘Now is a really important time for the Compact. Launched ten years ago it has already helped improve relationships nationally and locally. But there is still much to do. The landscape and our sector priorities have changed since then in so many ways.

Now, more than ever, we need commitment from all partners to build dynamic and respectful relationships between government and civil society so we use our different expertise to make the biggest difference we can. It is a genuine privilege to have been appointed as Chair. I look forward to working with the board to develop our priorities.’

Helen Baker, Interim Commissioner for the Compact, said:

‘I am delighted that Simon has been appointed as the new Chair of Compact Voice. He combines an extensive knowledge of the third sector and of the workings of the Compact with an ambitious vision for the future - a future based on the sharing of complementary skills and experience to improve outcomes for both individuals and communities. This directly reflects what drives us at the Commission.

We are confident that his appointment will reinforce and strengthen the excellent working relationships we have already established with Compact Voice and the other Compact partners.’

Compact Voice is the independent coalition of voluntary sector organisations working to improve the relationship between the sector and government. Sir Christopher Kelly, former Chair of Compact Voice, is now Chairman of the Committee for Standards in Public life.

For further information please contact Siobhan Wakely in NCVO’s Media Office on 020 7520 2569 or Siobhan.wakely@ncvo-vol.org.uk.

Notes to editors:

· Compact Voice www.compactvoice.org.uk is an independent body representing the voluntary and community sector on taking forward the Compact. It is made up of an autonomous alliance of leading voluntary sector infrastructure organisations with national, regional and local reach, and who together play a representational role in engaging with Government and the Compact Commissioner on Compact issues.

· Compact Voice supports two networks. Local Compact Voice is a network of over 300 voluntary sector representatives from local authority areas across England. It provides briefing to support Local Compact implementation, facilitates sharing of information and advice between members and enables them to develop Compact policy and practice. The National Compact Voice Network is a new initiative launched in Compact Week 2007 to strengthen the national Voluntary and Community Sector on the national Compact.

· The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) www.ncvo-vol.org.uk is the umbrella body for the voluntary sector in England, with sister councils in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NCVO has over 5,450 members, ranging from large national bodies to community groups, volunteer centres, and development agencies working at a local level. With over 280,000 staff and over 13 million volunteers working for our members, we represent and support almost half the voluntary sector workforce.