Simon Blake

Simon Blake
OBE
Born1974 (age 51–52)
Cornwall, England
EducationCardiff University (BA)
OccupationsSocial entrepreneur, activist, CEO
Years active1995–present

Simon Blake OBE (born 1974) is a British social entrepreneur and activist. He is the CEO of Stonewall, a UK-based charity organisation that campaigns on issues relating to LGBTQ+ rights.[1]

Early life and education

Blake was born in 1974 in Cornwall, England. He was the first person in his family to attend university, graduating from Cardiff University in 1995 with a BA Hons degree in psychology.[2] He has also completed multiple postgraduate studies in Social Research Methods and Executive Coaching.

Career

Blake began his career in voluntary services roles, including work at the Cardiff AIDS Helpline and the Family Planning Association.[3] He has since held leadership positions in several non-profit organisations, including the National Children's Bureau,[4] and Brook, a sexual health charity for young people, and the National Union of Students.[5] He has also served as a non-executive director of the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.[4]

Blake joined the social enterprise, Mental Health First Aid England as CEO in 2018 and left in September 2024 to work at Stonewall.[6][7][8] He associated with Stonewall in various capacities for over 20 years including a trustee role for 6 years,[9] working on issues such as the repeal of Section 28 and equalising the age of consent.[10] He served as Vice Chair of Stonewall from 2015 to 2021.[9] Media coverage has reported on differing perspectives regarding Stonewall’s influence and approach, with some commentators supporting its advocacy work, while others have raised concerns about its role in public policy discussions.[11][12]

In 2024, he was appointed Chief Executive of Stonewall.[13] Blake’s leadership has taken place during a period in which Stonewall’s role in workplace inclusion programmes and public policy has been the subject of public debate.[14]

Honours and appointments

In 2011, Blake was awarded an OBE for services to the voluntary sector and young people.[15] He is a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute (CCMI),[16] and has held advisory and ambassadorial roles, including the Headspace,[17] and Dying Matters Campaign.[1]

Publications

  • Sisters and Brothers: stories about the death of a sibling (2020)
  • Sex and Relationships Education for the 21st Century (2014)
  • Young Men, Sex and Pregnancy (2010)
  • A Whole School Approach to PSHE and Citizenship National Children’s Bureau (2006)
  • Strides: a practical guide to sex and relationships education for boys and young men (1998)

References

  1. ^ a b "Stonewall reveals next chief executive". www.thirdsector.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  2. ^ "Simon Blake: The 41-year-old paid £100,000-a-year to run the NUS". The Tab. 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  3. ^ Dudman, Jane (2011-01-05). "Leading questions: Simon Blake, Brook". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  4. ^ a b "Simon Blake OBE". Stonewall. 2024-09-12. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  5. ^ "NUS appoints Simon Blake as chief executive". www.civilsociety.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  6. ^ "Simon Blake OBE | HuffPost". www.huffingtonpost.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  7. ^ "Laurence Fox loses High Court libel case over social media row". 2024-01-29. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  8. ^ "HSM MAGAZINE - MHFA England announces new interim chief executive". www.hsmsearch.com. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  9. ^ a b "Pride Month reflections from our departing vice chair, Simon Blake OBE". Stonewall. 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  10. ^ "The time for change is now: We're championing LGBTQ+ safety at the Labour Party Conference". Stonewall. 2024-09-20. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  11. ^ "Stonewall's influence debated in public institutions". BBC News. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  12. ^ "Government departments review links with Stonewall". The Guardian. 2021-06-22. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  13. ^ Brooks, Libby (28 March 2025). "Stonewall will fight to ban all LGBT conversion practices, says new chief". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  14. ^ "Stonewall is at centre of toxic debate on trans rights and gender identity". The Guardian. 2021-06-05. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
  15. ^ Slawson, Nicola (2016-06-29). "NUS chief executive: if people want to scrutinise me, so be it". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  16. ^ [email protected] (2022-11-22). "Men's mental health: Using empathetic leadership". CMI. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  17. ^ Stroude, Will (2023-02-03). "LGBTQ+ leaders tackle workplace mental health at PinkNews Business Community event with Accenture". PinkNews. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
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