Simon Hebditch

Capacitybuilders

Chief Executive, 2006-2008

As Chief Executive of Capacitybuilders, I established this brand new organisation with 35 staff and Board members in early 2006 and successfully delivered a two year grant programme which distributed over £65m to voluntary and community organisations to increase their effectiveness and efficiency.

Charities Aid Foundation

Director of External Affairs and Policy Development, 1994-2006

At Charities Aid Foundation I was responsible for external communications, policy analysis and development, the research programme on charities and donors and on representing the Foundation to government. I also led on campaigning on issues relating to the growth and effectiveness of charities and the reform of the tax benefits to charities to increase their income.

National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)

Assistant Director (Policy and Research), 1987-1994

With responsbility for the development of the strategic planning and business planning frameworks for the organisation at the NCVO, I also campaigned on the range of issues affecting voluntary and community organisations and oversaw NCVO’s parliamentary and European Union campaigning work and its research programme.

During 1993/94 I was also Acting Chief Executive of NCVO for two separate periods of six months.

Bradford Metropolitan Council for Voluntary Service

General Secretary, 1984-1987

Running a local Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) in Bradford and surrounding West Yorkshire towns which provided practical services for voluntary and community organisations in those areas, I gained invaluable experience of working at a local level with a range of community groups and in partnership with local authorities and the national health service.

MIND (National Association for Mental Health)

Assistant Director, 1980-1984

Working on the organisation’s publications programmes, research and information services, I also produced campaign briefings on mental health issues for the All Party Parliamentary Group on Mental Health and campaigned with others for community based mental health care services..

Age Concern England

Head of Information, 1976-1980

With responsibility for the provision of information services to both the general public and local Age Concern organisations, I drafted the first national policy document on older peoples’ issues and launched the first All Party Parliamentary Group for Pensioners.

House of Commons

Parliamentary researcher and speech-writer, 1972-1976

As a Parliamentary researcher and speech-writer, working in the House of Commons, I produced material on environmental issues, employment and foreign affairs.

Trustee/Voluntary Activity

• Chair of local primary school Governing Body for three years
• Chair of Age Concern London for four years
• Member of the Board of Social Firms UK - 2008
• Vice Chair of the British Anti-Apartheid Movement, 1974 to 1981