Volunteering England has welcomed the appointment of its president Baroness Hanham as parliamentary secretary of state in the department for communities and local government (DCLG).

Baroness Hanham, who is a Tory peer, has a solid background in volunteering. She has been president of Volunteering England since June 2009, chairs the England Volunteering Development Council and was heavily involved in the Commission on the Future of Volunteering.

Justin Davis Smith, chief executive of Volunteering England said: “Baroness Hanham has brought to the volunteering sector her outstanding reputation and knowledge from her long career in public service as councillor for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, including a decade as leader.

“Thus, I know directly what a tremendous asset Joan will be to the new government's ministerial team in Communities and Local Government with her unrivalled experience in local government and her commitment to voluntary action. The role of the Department in carrying forward the Conservative manifesto commitment to strengthening people's involvement in their communities has an extraordinarily effective and compassionate advocate.”