A Church of England bishop has been appointed to a new government council aimed at strengthening the role of charities, churches and community groups in national decision-making.
Bishop Rob Wickham, Chief Executive of the Church Urban Fund and former bishop of Edmonton, will sit on the new Civil Society Council. The group was set up by the Prime Minister to bring charities, faith groups and community organisations closer to national decision-making.
Bishop Rob said: “My appointment puts faith-based community efforts front and centre of the government’s plans to serve the public. Working together we’ll build stronger, connected and energised communities able to influence decision making at national levels for grassroots benefit.
"Together we’ll ensure that local social action and programmes that mobilise churches and community groups are better recognised, supported and integrated into strategies addressing poverty and strengthening communities across England.”
The council will provide a forum for input on issues such as social cohesion and public services, and will meet quarterly at Downing Street.
The group is expected to hold its first meeting in April, marking what the government describes as a renewed commitment to working with civil society as a key partner in addressing the country’s most pressing social challenges.
Here's the full list of council members:
- Kate Lee OBE (Chair) - CEO of NCVO
- Matt Hyde OBE – CEO of Lloyds Bank Foundation
- Gemma Peters – CEO of Macmillan Cancer Support
- Dame Clare Moriarty – CEO of Citizens Advice
- Mark Russell OBE – CEO of The Children’s Society
- Emma de Closset – CEO of UK Community Foundations
- Charlotte Hill OBE – CEO of The Felix Project & FareShare
- Bishop Rob Wickham - CEO of the Church Urban Fund
- Dr Tessy Ojo CBE – CEO of The Diana Award
- Maddy Desforges OBE – CEO of NAVCA
- Saeed Atcha MBE DL – CEO of Youth Leads UK
- Innes Morgan – Director and Founder of Act with Purpose
- Dr Lindsay Cordery-Bruce – CEO of WCVA
