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Simon Blake

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Simon Blake
OBE
Born1974
Cornwall, England
NationalityBritish
EducationCardiff University (BA)
Occupation(s)Social entrepreneur, activist, CEO
Years active1995–present

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]

Early life and education

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Blake 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

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Blake 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

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  • 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

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  1. ^ a b "Stonewall reveals next chief executive". www.thirdsector.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  2. ^ "Simon Blake: The 41-year-old paid £100,000-a-year to run the NUS". The Tab. 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  3. ^ Dudman, Jane (2011-01-05). "Leading questions: Simon Blake, Brook". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  4. ^ a b "Simon Blake OBE". Stonewall. 2024-09-12. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  5. ^ "NUS appoints Simon Blake as chief executive". www.civilsociety.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  6. ^ "Simon Blake OBE | HuffPost". www.huffingtonpost.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  7. ^ "Laurence Fox loses High Court libel case over social media row". 2024-01-29. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  8. ^ "HSM MAGAZINE - MHFA England announces new interim chief executive". www.hsmsearch.com. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  9. ^ a b "Pride Month reflections from our departing vice chair, Simon Blake OBE". Stonewall. 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  10. ^ "The time for change is now: We're championing LGBTQ+ safety at the Labour Party Conference". Stonewall. 2024-09-20. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ emma.molloy@thinkpublishing.co.uk (2022-11-22). "Men's mental health: Using empathetic leadership". CMI. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  13. ^ Stroude, Will (2023-02-03). "LGBTQ+ leaders tackle workplace mental health at PinkNews Business Community event with Accenture". PinkNews. Retrieved 2024-09-21.