CUF CEO Bishop Rob Wickham appointed to the new Civil Society Council
Date Posted: Mar 16, 2026.
New civil society council established to put partnership at the heart of government
Our Chef Executive, Bishop Rob Wickham, has been appointed to the new Civil Society Council, established by the Prime Minister to bring civil society into the heart of government decision‑making.
Rob said: “My appointment puts faith-based community efforts front and centre of the government’s plans to serve the public.
Working together we’ll build stronger, connected and energised communities able to influence decision making at national levels for grassroots benefit.
Together we’ll ensure that local social action and programmes that mobilise churches and community groups are better recognised, supported and integrated into strategies addressing poverty and strengthening communities across England.”
Leading voices from across the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector have been appointed to the new Civil Society Council, established by the Prime Minister to bring civil society into the heart of government decision‑making.
The Council will drive a new approach to partnership with civil society, overseeing implementation of the Civil Society Covenant at national and local level, and builds on last summer’s Civil Society Summit and the launch of the Office for the Impact Economy.
- Civil society working in partnership with government at the highest level to drive implementation of the Covenant
- Better policy delivery across government through closer partnership on issues that cut across departments, from social cohesion to public services
- Council to provide an open and representative voice for civil society at the centre of government
Together, these steps mark a renewed commitment to working with charities, social enterprises and community groups as core partners in tackling the country’s most complex social challenges.
The Civil Society Council will provide a central forum to address issues that cut across government, including social cohesion and public service commissioning, and to identify opportunities for civil society to play a greater role in the design and delivery of policies and services.
The Council will be chaired by Kate Lee OBE, Chief Executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), and will bring together senior leaders from charities, social enterprises, philanthropy, faith and community organisations, and the youth sector. It will meet quarterly in Downing Street and be supported by a dedicated team in No10, maximising the opportunities for civil society to contribute across government.
Council members were appointed following an open and competitive Expressions of Interest process which received nearly 600 applications. Final members were selected to reflect a broad mix of experience, expertise and geographic representation.
The Council will hold its inaugural meeting in April.
Council members
- Kate Lee OBE (Chair) - CEO of NCVO
- Matt Hyde OBE – CEO of Lloyds Bank Foundation
- Gemma Peters – CEO of Macmillan Cancer Support
- Dame Clare Moriarty – CEO of Citizens Advice
- Mark Russell OBE – CEO of The Children’s Society
- Emma de Closset – CEO of UK Community Foundations
- Charlotte Hill OBE – CEO of The Felix Project & FareShare
- Bishop Rob Wickham - CEO of the Church Urban Fund
- Dr Tessy Ojo CBE – CEO of The Diana Award
- Maddy Desforges OBE – CEO of NAVCA
- Saeed Atcha MBE DL – CEO of Youth Leads UK
- Innes Morgan – Director and Founder of Act with Purpose
- Dr Lindsay Cordery-Bruce – CEO of WCVA
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