POLICY: ACEVO EXPANDS NETWORK IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND17 October 2008 ACEVO, the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, will officially launch its expansion in the English northern regions with three high profile receptions during October. Thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Fund and Capacitybuilders, ACEVO is expanding its support and advice services to chief executives in the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber. Stephen Bubb, Chief Executive of ACEVO said, ‘ACEVO membership has always represented too small a percentage of third sector organisations in the north of England. ‘Our members based in the north of England have found it difficult to access many of the services we run from London. Now I am delighted we are in a position to offer accessible leadership support in the three northern regions and the kind of high profile networking events with key politicians and top decision makers that are enjoyed by ACEVO members in London. ‘Our work so far this year is proving that this can be achieved.’ Since opening a northern office in Leeds earlier this year, ACEVO has been growing its network with the third sector and regional public sector organisations. Jenny Berry, was appointed Director of ACEVO North after a previous career in the sector as chief executive of the Community Transport Association (CTA UK). She said, ‘The importance of our sector to regional economic growth is being emphasised at all levels of Government. There are opportunities for us to grow our role in strategic decision making at a regional and sub regional level and contribute even more to quality of life locally and regionally. The key to achieving our potential is strong leadership in our organisations and a collective voice at regional level. We have had an enthusiastic welcome and I am looking forward to working to strengthen support for chief executives in the regions.’ Speaking ahead of the launch in the North East, taking place in Newcastle, Hilary Armstrong commented, ‘It is excellent news that the ACEVO network is expanding to reach chief executives in the voluntary and community sector in the North. Charities and social enterprises contribute enormously to the prosperity of our communities and the regeneration of our region. ‘Investing in the leadership of these organisations will strengthen their work, helping them to deliver further opportunities to almost every section of our society. The sector has yet to achieve it's full potential in the north east, and I look forward to assisting acevo in it's mission to develop and strengthen charity and voluntary sector leaders.’ Tony Collins, Chief Executive of St. Michael’s Hospice in Harrogate, chairs a committee made up of ten chief executives from across the three northern regions that steers the work of ACEVO in the north. He said, ‘It is an important step forward that ACEVO recognises the need to provide more for members in the north. We can’t become too London-centric and lose touch with the pressures faced in the other parts of the country. It is essential that we recognise and work with differences regionally to provide appropriate services for an effective third sector.’ << Return to previous page
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