Jacqueline Davies has been appointed the new Chair of Stonewall.
She will succeed David Isaac, who retires after nine years leading the charity. Jacqueline, elected at a board meeting last night, said: ‘I’m both thrilled and honoured to become Chair of a charity I admire so much. Being entrusted with the stewardship of an organisation like this is rather like being asked to carry a priceless Ming vase along a corridor.’
Jacqueline, author of The Truth About Talent, provides talent and resourcing consultancy to senior leaders across the private and public sectors. She was born in Splott and grew up in Cardiff and is the mother of a three year old daughter with her partner Tania.
Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said:
‘Both David and his deputy Liz Grant have provided inspirational leadership since we formally became a charity in 2003. Every one of our staff and volunteers is hugely grateful to them and also delighted about Jacqueline’s appointment.’
Neil Bentley was appointed Deputy Chair to replace Liz Grant, who has served as Deputy Chair since 2005. Neil is Deputy Director-General and Chief Operating Officer at the CBI.
Since 2003, Stonewall has been at the forefront of securing significant legislative advances for lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Britain. In that time the charity has launched an Education for All programme to tackle homophobic bullying in schools and colleges and has grown membership of its Diversity Champions programme for major employers to 600, employing almost six million people between them. The charity also now campaigns for equality internationally. Annual income has risen from £1.3m in 2003 to £4m today and staff numbers from 20 to 65.
David Isaac, who is also Chair of Modern Art Oxford, was appointed a CBE in 2011 in recognition of his services to equality and diversity. Stonewall trustees are selected through open recruitment, in line with charity best practice. They can serve a maximum of three three-year terms. During Stonewall’s 23-year history, the position of chair has always alternated between a man and a woman.
