Speaker Biography

Stephen Bubb is Chief Executive of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (acevo) – a dynamic and high profile UK body - where his work on leadership, sector funding and public service reform has radically shifted attitudes and policies. In 2007 he became the Secretary General of the newly formed European Third Sector Leaders Network. Described by the Financial Times as a leading proponent of boardroom reform, Stephen is also known as an influential networker – a recent Guardian profile called him “a consummate networker, stalking the corridors of power with a purpose”.

He has been in major national roles in the TGWU, NUT and the AMA and was a Founding Director of the National Lotteries Charities Board. Much in demand as a speaker and media commentator both here and abroad, where he advocates a radical role for the country’s Third Sector.

He is currently an Independent Assessor for government appointments and a member of the Honours Advisory Committee. He is the Chair of the Adventure Capital Fund – a major investor in community enterprise.

Born and brought up in Kent, he read PPE at Christ Church, Oxford. He lives in Lambeth and in Charlbury in the Cotswolds. He has been a Youth Court Magistrate, Councillor, Health Authority Member, Open University Tutor, Non-Executive Director in the private sector, Chair of an Orchestra and Founder of a Charity.

January 2007