A House of Lords competition to nominate a new Peer has been won by a schoolgirl who nominated former Charity Commission chief, and Charity Finance editor Andrew Hind for his contribution to the sector.

Hind came out on top of the likes of Stephen Fry, Simon Cowell and JK Rowling after a total of 499 young people submitted their nominations to the 'Peer Factor' competition. Hind nominator, 15-year-old Mary-Beth Patterson from Berwickshire, was inspired by the use of his accountancy skills to help many charities.

Hind's extensive experience in the charity sector saw him appointed as the first chief executive of the Charity Commission in 2004. Subsequent to his exit from the Commission late last year he was awarded the prestigious Companion of the Order of the Bath in the New Year's Honours List 2011.

"I am thrilled to have been nominated by Mary-Beth and congratulate her on being selected as one of the winners in this year's Lord Speaker's competition," said Hind. "The role of the House of Lords is becoming more, not less, important, and it is critical that young people engage with its work.

"In the civil society field, the Lords is a repository of huge knowledge and personal experience, with Peers playing a key role in shaping the policy framework for charitable action across the UK." 

Mary-Beth is one of three winners in the competition, each receiving a £100 prize and a trip to Parliament complete with a tour by the Lord Speaker.

"I am absolutely delighted and I didn't expect to win," said Mary-Beth. 

"I am really looking forward to the opportunity to be able to visit Parliament and I feel that Andrew Hind merits his position as a recommended Peer in the House of Lords in terms of his contribution to charity. He is a hugely inspirational person!"

Unfortunately the nomination is just a recommendation and Hind will not, yet, become a Lord. 

To read Mary-Beth's essay on Andrew Hind click here.