Acevo names new chair and vice-chair

The Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations has named Paul Farmer of Mind and Sharon Allen of Skills For Care as its new chair and vice-chair.

Acevo’s board have elected the pair to serve a three-year term, starting January 2015. They replace RNIB CEO Lesley-Anne Alexander and I CAN CEO Virginia Beardshaw who have served as chair and vice-chair since 2009 and 2012 respectively.

The association has also opened nominations for four new places on the board. They are particularly looking for new board members with legal expertise, from small charities, who are aged below 44 or who are members of an ethnic minority.

Nominations close on 15 November 2015, and the new board members will be announced at Acevo’s AGM in Parliament in January 2015.

Acevo’s board of trustees is elected by the full members of the organisation and any full member can stand for election.

The association’s chief executive Sir Stephen Bubb said the new chair and vice-chair have the “experience and national profile” to help lead Acevo forward.

“I’d like to thank Lesley-Anne Alexander and Virginia Beardshaw for their sterling support and leadership on our board for the last eight years. Both have been stalwarts during significant change at Acevo.”

Farmer said it is a privilege to take on the role.

“I am particularly pleased to have been elected by my fellow trustees. The next few years will be crucial for the development of our sector and I am looking forward to Acevo playing its full role in this.”

Allen said she looks forward to working alongside the new chair and the board.

“Our focus is on modelling strong and effective governance which we can then promote across our sector so I want to use my experience to play my part in driving that agenda forward.”