Simon Blake OBE (born 1974) is a British social entrepreneur and activist. He currently serves as the CEO of the UK-based LGBTQ+ charity, Stonewall.[1]
Simon Blake OBE | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1974 Cornwall, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Cardiff University (BA) |
| Occupation(s) | Social entrepreneur, activist, CEO |
| Years active | 1995–present |
Early life and education
editBlake was born in 1974 in Cornwall, England. He was the first person in his family to attend university, graduating from Cardiff University in 1995 with a BA Hons degree in psychology.[2] He has completed several postgraduate programs, including Social Research Methods and Executive Coaching.
Career
editBlake began his career in voluntary services at the Cardiff AIDS Helpline and the Family Planning Association.[3] He has served in leadership roles in a number of Non-Profit organisations the National Children's Bureau,[4] Brook, a young people's sexual health charity, and the National Union of Students.[5] He is also a non-executive director of the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.[4]
Blake joined the social enterprise, Mental Health First Aid England as CEO in 2018 and left in September 2024 to work at Stonewell.[6][7][8] He has collaborated with Stonewall for over 20 years in which he stayed there as a trustee for 6 years,[9] working on issues such as the repeal of Section 28 and equalising the age of consent.[10] He served as Vice Chair of Stonewall from 2015 to 2021.[9]
In 2011, Blake was awarded an OBE for his services to the voluntary sector and young people.[11] He is a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute (CCMI),[12] an advisor to Headspace,[13] and an ambassador for the Dying Matters Campaign.[1]
Publications
edit- Sisters and Brothers: stories about the death of a sibling (2020)
- Sex and Relationships Education for the 21st Century (2014)
- Young Men, Sex and Pregnancy (2010)
- A Whole School Approach to PSHE and Citizenship National Children’s Bureau (2006)
- Strides: a practical guide to sex and relationships education for boys and young men (1998)
References
edit- ^ a b "Stonewall reveals next chief executive". www.thirdsector.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ "Simon Blake: The 41-year-old paid £100,000-a-year to run the NUS". The Tab. 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ Dudman, Jane (2011-01-05). "Leading questions: Simon Blake, Brook". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ a b "Simon Blake OBE". Stonewall. 2024-09-12. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ "NUS appoints Simon Blake as chief executive". www.civilsociety.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ "Simon Blake OBE | HuffPost". www.huffingtonpost.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ "Laurence Fox loses High Court libel case over social media row". 2024-01-29. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ "HSM MAGAZINE - MHFA England announces new interim chief executive". www.hsmsearch.com. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ a b "Pride Month reflections from our departing vice chair, Simon Blake OBE". Stonewall. 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ "The time for change is now: We're championing LGBTQ+ safety at the Labour Party Conference". Stonewall. 2024-09-20. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ Slawson, Nicola (2016-06-29). "NUS chief executive: if people want to scrutinise me, so be it". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ emma.molloy@thinkpublishing.co.uk (2022-11-22). "Men's mental health: Using empathetic leadership". CMI. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
- ^ Stroude, Will (2023-02-03). "LGBTQ+ leaders tackle workplace mental health at PinkNews Business Community event with Accenture". PinkNews. Retrieved 2024-09-21.