#165 Advocating for a sector, Sir Stephen Bubb Acting Director of the Gradel Institute of Charity at New College Oxford

<p>Sir Stephen Bubbs remarkable journey from a union representative to a leading advocate for charity CEOs and their organisation&#39;s is a testament to his unwavering commitment to positive change and the sector. We explore his decades-long advocacy for the &#39;Third Sector,&#39; his influential role in shaping government policies, and his latest mission to establish the world&#39;s first-ever Research Institute dedicated to charity at New College Oxford.</p> <p>Championing the &#39;Third Sector&#39;: For decades, Sir Stephen fearlessly challenged authority and championed the cause of the charity sector. He shares anecdotes of standing up to the UK Prime Minister via a Minister when he believed that the government&#39;s actions were a smokescreen for funding cuts. With unwavering support from his board and the sector, Sir Stephen refused to back down from his criticisms, firmly believing in defending the sector&#39;s interests.</p> <p>Sir Stephen&#39;s tenure as the Chief Executive of ACEVO (Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations) spanned fifteen influential years until 2016. In this role, he wielded significant influence in shaping government policies related to the third sector&#39;s involvement in delivering public services.</p> <p>During his time at ACEVO, one significant challenge Sir Stephen faced was battling misconceptions about overhead costs in the charity sector. He emphasised the importance of core costs and reserves, underlining those successful charities, like any other organisations, require resources for effective governance and leadership.</p> <p>Sir Stephen&#39;s mission extends beyond financial matters; he aims to change perceptions about charities. The stereotype of charities as small-scale, volunteer-driven entities is being challenged. Charities play a vital role in society, deserving serious academic attention.</p> <p>Leaving ACEVO, Sir Stephen embarked on a new mission to launch a research institute for charity, what has become the Gradel Institute of Charity at New