Disability charities Speaking Up and Advocacy Partners have merged and become known as Advocacy Partners Speaking Up until a new name is chosen.

The two organisations felt that their future security in an era of public spending cuts and the growing personalisation agenda could be better served by joining forces.

Jonathan Senker, CEO of Advocacy Partners, is to be chief executive of the new organisation while Speaking Up’s founder and CEO, Craig Dearden-Phillips, will seek election as its new chair.

No job losses or service cuts are envisaged as the two charities cover different locations.

Speaking Up had income of £4.1m in 2008/9 and Advocacy Partners had turnover of £2m.

The merger was brokered by Breakthrough, the joint venture between CAN and private equity outfit Permira.