Commissioner for the Compact, Sir Bert Massie CBE, has been co-opted on to ACEVO’s northern steering group.

Sir Bert brings a wealth of experience to the group of elected ACEVO members from Yorkshire and Humber, the North East and North West, who work to guide and promote the work of ACEVO in the northern regions.

Sir Bert Massie has worked in the sector campaigning for disability rights for over 40 years and was a founding member of ACEVO over 20 years ago.

Jenny Berry, Director of ACEVO North, said: ‘Sir Bert Massie’s support for the third sector and involvement with our work will add enormous value.

‘Having worked with Sir Bert before, I am really delighted that we can harness his fantastic energy to support third sector leaders in the north of England.

‘The support of our ACEVO members, and especially those in the Steering Group has been invaluable to our success in expanding ACEVO’s services in the three north regions.’

Tony Collins, CEO of Saint Michael’s Hospice and Chair of the ACEVO North Steering Group said: ‘The Steering Group is committed to achieving more for third sector leaders in the north of England and I am absolutely delighted that we will benefit from Sir Bert’s experience.

‘As a founding member of ACEVO, he knows more than most the benefit of a network of peers which can speak collectively and share challenges.’

Speaking before his first meeting of the group in Manchester, Sir Bert Massie added: ‘The ACEVO North Steering Group is a fantastic forum for connecting with third sector leaders in the north of England.

‘As Commissioner for the Compact, I believe passionately in effective partnership working between the public and the third sector, and the Commission plays an important role in overseeing and promoting use of the Compact.

"This long-standing agreement is a way for public and third sector bodies to produce, by working in partnership, better services, facilities and opportunities than could be produced by the public sector or the third sector alone.’