01/04/11

By Andrew Holt

Sir Stephen Bubb, CEO of ACEVO, is to be made a Liberal Democrat peer and appointed adviser to Nick Clegg on civil society affairs.

The move follows discussions with Lord Rennard, former CEO of the Liberal Democrats and currently chair of ACEVO’s Commission on Big Society, and Richard Reeves, special adviser to Nick Clegg and formerly Director of Demos.

The advisory post will be part time, allowing Sir Stephen to continue in his role as CEO of ACEVO and chair of the Social Investment Business, and his work around the world to set up third sector leadership bodies.

Sir Stephen has however made a clear commitment to spending as much time in the Lords as physically possible.

He will be ennobled as Lord Bubb of Charlbury.

Whilst Sir Stephen will take the Liberal Democrat whip, he will work closely with Conservative peer Lord Wei, the Government’s chief advisor on big society, and will take an office next to his.

Speaking on the appointment Sir Stephen Bubb said: “I am delighted to accept this position, and look forward to working with Nick as the Government continues to develop policy on our sector.

"This is a great day for me, but more importantly a great day for everyone working in the charity sector. I’m chuffed. I intend to deliver for Nick in spades, and look forward to working particularly closely with my good friend Richard Reeves.”

Deputy Prime Minsiter Nick Clegg added: “I am delighted that Sir Stephen has taken up my invitation to advise the Liberal Democrats on charity sector policy. I look forward to working with him.”

Lord Wei, chief advisor to the Government on Big Society, said: “I look forward to working with Stephen on the great task that lies ahead of us: to bridge divides in danger of becoming chasms, to build high-communitability in the information age, and to foster a sense in every single one of us of what it is to be a bigger society.”