CAPACITY BUILDERS BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTED

16 Nov 2005 10:45 AM

The new team to run Capacity Builders, the agency charged with fund managing the £150 million ChangeUp programme, was announced today by the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke.

Headed by new Chair Chris Pond and Chief Executive Simon Hebditch, the focus of Capacity Builders will be to implement the ChangeUp investment programme, designed to build capacity and infrastructure framework for the voluntary and community sector.

Commenting on the appointments, Home Office Minister Paul Goggins said:

"We have assembled an impressive team to implement the Home Office's flagship ChangeUp programme. The Government places a high value on the voluntary and community sector and on the time, talents and passion invested up and down the country in making a real and positive difference to people's lives. Capacity Builders, through the ChangeUp programme, will support organisations in the VCS and harness these talents to play an even greater role in society."

New chair of Capacity Builders, Chris Pond, said:

"I am very pleased to accept this challenging opportunity as the Chair of Capacity Builders. I know that a lot of useful work has already gone on under the ChangeUp programme and I am keen to work with colleagues and partners in the VCS to build on this momentum and make a significant difference to the support available to front-line VCS organisations."

Notes to Editors:

1. The Home office has made the following appointments to Capacity Builders (Biographies attached):

Chair: Chris Pond

Board:
Caryl Agard
David Baxter
Margaret Bolton
David Harbourne
Roger Singleton
Margaret Talbot

Chief Executive: Simon Hebditch

2. The Home Secretary announced the appointments in his speech to the Funding the Future conference in London today. He also announced the launch of the Home Office strategy to encourage a culture of giving (Home Office press notice 174/05).

3. The Home secretary announced the creation of Capacity Builders on 22 March 2005, he also announced an additional £70m for the ChangeUp programme for the financial years 2006/07 and 2007/08 on top of the £80m investment that is already being made. (Home Office press notice: 059/2005).

4. ChangeUp was published in June 2004. The framework sets out a ten year vision for the infrastructure and capacity building support that should be available to front line voluntary and community sector organisations by 2014.

5. Capacity Builders will be responsible for:

- the overall programme design and programme management of ChangeUp; - making grant decisions and performance managing grants; - ensuring the programme is joined-up and co-ordinated;
- mainstreaming diversity into the design and delivery of activities; and
- undertaking action learning and longer term evaluation programmes.

BIOGRAPHIES

Chair:

Chris Pond - Chris Pond is the Chief Executive of the National Council for One Parent Families. He was formerly the Member of Parliament for Gravesham (1997-2005), and Parliamentary under Secretary of State at the Department of Work & Pensions (2003-05).

Before that he was successively director (1980-97) and chair (1997-99) of the Low Pay Unit, and developed the organisation from a small team in London to a national charity. The organisation successfully campaigned for a national minimum wage and for improved social and employment rights as a prerequisite for economic progress.

His skills and experience reflected a strong mix of voluntary & community Sector and political leadership. He has clear credibility with the sector and government and will be a hugely persuasive and engaging Chair for Capacity Builders.

Board Members:

David Harbourne - Until 31 October, David was the Executive Director of the Learning Skills Council in North Yorkshire, where his responsibilities included devising and implementing strategies to meet the training and development needs of local people, communities and organisations. He is now a freelance consultant, working principally in the fields of learning, skills and economic development. His career also includes running two charities, one in the baking industry and subsequently a large nationwide charity, the Hospitality Training Foundation.

Margaret Talbot - Margaret was recently appointed as Chief Executive of the Association for Physical Education, a new professional organisation which will replace two existing associations (baalpe and PEAUK). Her previous experience as Chief Executive of the Central Council of Physical Recreation, the umbrella for voluntary sector sport and recreation; her knowledge and experience of the public sector; and her leadership of several national and international voluntary organisations, provide her with excellent understanding of their needs to increase capacity and sustainability. She has been awarded an OBE for services to physical education and sport.

David Baxter - Up until March 05 David was the vice president of Europe, Coltrin & Associates and formerly Director of Operations and Strategic Relations at the BT Group. David formed and led a BT partnership team to drive the agenda to transform the economic growth and sustainable development of regional communities. David has a sound track record in transforming major organisations in both the public and private sector. He has also worked extensively at board level, particularly in terms of corporate governance and performance, and served as Chairman of the Board of Business Link for London, and on the London Council of the CBI.

Caryl Agard - Caryl is currently the Executive Director of The Social Business Company, and has a 20 year background in social and economic development. He was recently awarded an OBE as recognition of his contribution to improving the quality of life for individuals from Black and Ethnic Minority communities through training. Caryl is also an Independent Board Director of Futurebuilders England Ltd and Chair of the BME sub-group for Compact.

Roger Singleton - Roger is the Chief Executive of Barnardo's - the UK's leading Children's Charity. He has led the organisation from providing predominately residential care in 120 children's homes, to supporting vulnerable children in their own homes and families. He has 20 years experience at governance level as Trustee, Chair and Treasurer of the National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations. He has been awarded a CBE for services to children and young people/

Margaret Bolton - Margaret is currently a freelance consultant with senior management experience in policy and research roles. She has 20 years experience of working in or with voluntary organisations. Roles include Communications Director at the Arts Council of England, responsible for public relations on arts lottery funding, and Director of Policy and Research at NCVO.

Chief Executive:

Simon Hebditch - Simon is currently the executive director of external affairs for the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). His responsibilities include strategic planning for the organisation, public relations and liaison with various government departments on policy issues facing the charity sector. Simon chaired the consortium which drew up the business plan for the Financing the Voluntary and Community Sector national hub of the ChangeUp programme.

He has taken the lead in introducing periodic strategic reviews of the way forward in relation to the economic, fiscal and social environment, reviewing external trends which might impact on CAF's vision and on its individual businesses. Simon was CAF's principal representative in establishing The Giving Campaign in 2001 following the charitable tax reforms introduced in 2000.