Former CBI director-general Sir Richard Lambert has been chosen to chair the Big Society Trust, the holding company charged with ensuring that Big Society Capital stays true to its mission.

Sir Richard was appointed to the board back in July along with seven other senior figures from the sector and government. But he has only now been selected as chair of the group.

Sir Richard held the top executive post at the Confederation of British Industry from 2006 until earlier this year.  He also edited the Financial Times from 1991 until 2001 and was a member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee from 2003 until 2006.  

Of his latest role, he said: “Big Society Capital has the capacity to make a real difference and I am very pleased to be in at the beginning.”

The other members of the Big Society Trust board are:

• Ian Davis (formerly McKinsey & Co)
• Baroness Jill Pitkeathley (House of Lords)
• David Robinson (Community Links)
• Sir Stephen Bubb (CEO of Acevo) [in rotation every three years with NCVO]
• Peter Holbrook (CEO of Social Enterprise Coalition)
• Gareth Davies (Cabinet Office)
• Sir Ronald Cohen (Chair of Big Society Capital)