05/02/10
By Howard Lent
Volunteering and training charity, CSV has appointed Sir Jon Shortridge as its new chairman.
Shortridge is an experienced public servant and leader and was Permanent Secretary in Wales for over nine years.
He also worked in Whitehall. He began his career as a social researcher and town planner for 15 years.
Speaking about his appointment he said: "I'm looking forwards to chairing CSV through challenging times ahead, when people will be expecting more for less and when 11 million people tell researchers that they would volunteer if only they were asked. I'm excited by the prospect of helping CSV to develop how it operates in an environmentally sustainable way."
Executive director of CSV, Dame Elisabeth Hoodless, said: "CSV is very excited by the prospect of a chairman bringing new ideas, skills and approaches to the organisation's work to involve citizens of all ages in volunteering and training nationwide."
CSV's chairman is elected to the post annually with a maximum tenure of 10 years agreed for this role.
He assumes this role as a volunteer and takes over from John Pulford who served as CSV's chairman for 34 years and has been appointed as a Vice President of CSV.
Other stories you may find of interest:
Nine social enterprises on awards shortlist
Nine social enterprises are on the shortlist for the English heat of the national Social Enterprise Awards.
Charities cautious about economic upturn
New research by the Charity Finance Directors' Group (CFDG), the Institute of Fundraising (IoF) with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) shows charities remain cautious about the future despite the economic upturn. However, although the majority still expect a fall in overall income in the next 12 months, charities are more positive about the future than they were in May 2009. The research is the latest in the Managing in a Downturn survey series, undertaken amongst CFDG and IoF members in November 2009. In the May 2009 survey finance directors were more concerned than fundraising directors in most areas of income.
Inflation data adds to economy fears says F&C
The UK inflation rate has come in at an annualised rate of 2.9% for the year to December, which is the fastest rate for nine months and well above consensus expectations of around 2.6% and compares to a figure of only 1.9% in November. Most of the rise can be attributed to the anniversary of last year's cut in VAT and in addition there is evidence that retailers did not indulge in the heavy discounting of the previous year when the financial crisis was at its peak. Next month, it is expected that inflation could rise to as high as 3.5% reflecting the re-imposition of the 17.5% rate of VAT.
