Born in Gillingham, Kent, in 1952, Sir Stephen Bubb has since gone on to be a distinct part of Britain’s political landscape for nearly two generations. Having won a place at Oxford University, where he read Politics, Philosophy and Economics, he went on to be active across the political sphere.
In his early career he worked in the Trade Union movement as a speechwriter for the TGWU’s Jack Jones, and as London local government councillor. He also took on roles with the NUT and later the Association of Metropolitan Authorities. In 1995, he was a Founding Director of the National Lottery Charities Board.
In 2000, Sir Stephen was appointed as the Chief Executive of the Associations of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO). The Chair of ACEVO at the time has noted that this marked a change in attitudes from ACEVO, as they became more vocal and influential.
The knighthood Sir Stephen was awarded in 2011 was in recognition of the role this voice had played in supporting the third sector. Sir Stephen’s advocacy has been wide ranging, focussing on topics from the role of charities in public service delivery to charity governance and the improvement of our health and social care systems.
In this last category, Sir Stephen has become known in recent years for his work with government. In 2011, he reported on choice and competition in the NHS. In this role he became the first third sector leader to address a full meeting of the British Cabinet.
In 2014, he was commissioned to review services for people with learning disabilities, after the fallout of the Winterbourne View scandal, and the Government’s failure to adequately address problems. The findings of this campaign are now being enacted by the Government with this influential report leading to the transformation of services and the long awaited closure of outdated institutions.
Alongside his work at ACEVO, Sir Stephen has remained engaged with many areas of the sector. He chaired the Social Investment Business from 2007 to 2016, helping introduce social finance to the UK. He is also a trustee of Helen and Douglas House Hospice, based hear his home in Oxfordshire. Previously, he has been Chairman of FutureBuilders England, and a member of the health authorities for the Guys’ and St Thomas’ hospitals.
