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Citizens Advice announces new national Chair

8 June 2009

As the recession drives more and more people to Citizens Advice Bureaux, their national body Citizens Advice has announced that its next Chair will be John Gladwin, the soon-to-retire Bishop of Chelmsford.

John Gladwin, who retires as Bishop at the end of August, has a long track record as a tireless campaigner for justice and equality throughout his career in the Church of England. As a member of the House of Lords he has spoken out often against all forms of discrimination and raised many issues affecting the poorest and most vulnerable in society.

He has extensive governance and voluntary sector experience, ranging from working at the grass roots with homeless people in Sheffield to chairing a major international development charity. In 2008 he stood down after eleven years as Chair of Christian Aid, which he led through a period of significant change. He was also the founding Chair of Traidcraft, now the largest fair trade social enterprise in the UK.

John Gladwin said:

“It’s a great privilege to be nominated as Chair of a very great and vital organisation. In these difficult days the need for the Citizens Advice service has never been greater. The challenge is to ensure that bureaux are able provide support to everyone who needs it. Whatever the pressures on public finances it’s essential that the Citizens Advice service has the resources it needs.”

 

Citizens Advice Chief Executive David Harker said:

“To achieve its vision Citizens Advice needs great leaders. In John Gladwin we believe we’ve found one. He shares our values, understands the challenges we face, and brings a wealth of experience and insight.”

Notes to editors on the new Chair:

John Gladwin is the first person to be nominated for Chair of Citizens Advice under a new open selection process involving the post being publicly advertised. If the charity’s AGM agrees the appointment, he will take over as Chair in September and serve a three year term, renewable for a further three years.

Notes to editors

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more information in England and Wales see www.citizensadvice.org.uk
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality. For online advice and information see New windowwww.adviceguide.org.uk
  3. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 7.1 million problems from April 2010 to March 2011. For full 2010/2011 service statistics see: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/press_statistics
  4. Out of 22 national charities, the Citizens Advice service is ranked by the general public as being the most helpful, approachable, professional, informative, effective / cost effective, reputable and accountable. (nfpSynergy’s Brand Attributes survey, May 2010).
  5. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at around 3,300 service outlets across England and Wales.