Cabinet Office Homepage

Main navigation

First Commissioner for the Compact appointed

John Stoker is appointed today as the first Commissioner designate for the Compact – a new role to oversee the relationship between government and third sector voluntary and community organisations.

The appointment of a Commissioner takes the Compact into a new era.

The Compact is an agreement made at both national and local levels that sets out how government and voluntary and community organisations work together in all areas – including consultation, funding, and delivering better services.

Strengthening the Compact is a key priority for the Commissioner – championing its full implementation at every level of government to enable voluntary and community organisations to operate in effective partnerships with the broader public sector.

Immediate priorities for the Commissioner will include working closely with Ministers, senior government officials, regional funding bodies and chief executives of voluntary and community organisations on how to make the Compact as effective as possible.

The Commissioner will take up office on 1 October. Initially he will be meeting and listening to Compact stakeholders through a series of planned events, as well as talking to the sector.

A former Chief Charity Commissioner, Director General of the National Lottery and Chief Executive of the London Bombings Relief Charitable Fund, John Stoker brings a wealth of public and third sector experience to this important new role. He was appointed through a joint process between government ministers and sector stakeholders.

John Stoker, Commissioner for the Compact, said:

‘The Compact is at a crucial stage where we can build on its successes, learn lessons, and take it to the next level. I'm very keen to hear what government and the VCS have to say on how best to make sure that the Compact is fully implemented. I expect to see a major difference to the way in which the rules of engagement operate between the VCS and government and will be listening very closely to all of the Compact's stakeholders to determine the best way to achieve this.’

Ed Miliband, Minister for the Third Sector, said:

‘I'd like to welcome John Stoker to this new and vital post as the chair of a new organisation charged with strengthening the Compact. A close and productive working relationship between government and voluntary and community sector organisations is paramount to helping lift the barriers to better performance that exist on both sides. I look forward to working with the Commissioner for the Compact and the new organisation to make this relationship stronger.’

Chris Kelly, Chair of the Compact Working Group and of the NSPCC, said:

‘I am delighted with the appointment of John Stoker as Commissioner to oversee the Compact. Ensuring implementation of the Compact principles happens everywhere still needs work. John's appointment gives a real chance to make a step change in the relationship between the public and voluntary sectors, from which everyone will benefit. The Compact Working Group, as representatives of the VCS, is greatly looking forward to working with him.’

Notes to editors

1. John Stoker biography: John Stoker, 55 led the London Bombings Relief Charitable Fund during 2005 and, was the Chief Charity Commissioner for England and Wales from 1999 to 2004. He became Deputy Director of the National Lottery in 1997, and Director General (the National Lottery regulator) in 1998. Between 1992 and 1996, as Regional Director, he led the Government's programmes for the physical and economic regeneration of Merseyside.
2. The Compact [External website] is the agreement between government and the voluntary and community sector in England to improve their relationship for mutual advantage. It sets out the statement of intent to work in partnership and is supported by five codes: funding and procurement, community groups, BME groups, volunteers and consultation. 98% of local areas in England are committed to better partnership working between local government, local public bodies and local voluntary and community organisations through Local Compacts. Local Compacts are becoming living documents that inform the whole range of joint working at a local level, from police working with the community sector to tackle anti–social behaviour to social services improving their contracting with social care organisations.
3. At a meeting to review the Compact in November 2005, following consultation over the summer, it was agreed that further steps would be taken to strengthen the Compact including the appointment of a Compact Commissioner and the creation of a Compact Commission to oversee the partnership between government and the sector. That new organisation would support the Commissioner's work and will be established in the autumn.
4. The Compact Working Group contains senior representatives of major third sector stakeholders and has been working with Government on the appointment of the Compact Commissioner. The Compact Working Group will continue by working closely with the Compact Commission to ensure that the views of the sector are fully represented.
5. Ed Miliband was appointed Minister for the Third Sector, working to Hilary Armstrong, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster at the Cabinet Office, during the reshuffle on May 5 2006. He leads a new Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office, which brings together responsibility for third sector work streams from across Government.
6. The Commissioner's salary will be £100k pro rata. It is a 2 day per week appointment. It is a 3 year appointment. John Stoker has not held any other ministerial public appointments and the appointment has been made in accordance with the OCPA code of practice.
7. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public. No political activity was declared.

For media enquiries contact: Richard Stone at the Compact Working Group on 020 7520 2511 or Campbell McDonald at the Cabinet Office Press Office on 020 7276 0311

Tel: 020 7276 0311 Fax: 020 7276 0618

www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk