Message from our Director-General, Mike Lake CBE

Mike Lake

A change of leadership is always a time of anticipation and I thought it would be timely to pass on my early thoughts as I begin my tenure as Director-General.

Before anything, can I pay tribute to Valerie Mitchell, a loyal servant to the English-Speaking Union and a passionate advocate for 30 years, including half that time at the helm.  Valerie has gone out of her way to make the transition easy for me and I have been grateful for her support.  I know she will continue to be an active and influential member of our family.

My immediate priorities are to build a new management team, with the addition of Jill Lloyd as [Director of Finance and Support Services] and to ensure that no momentum is lost through the busy summer period. 

I anticipate that I will then be in a position to recommend a development plan to the relevant governance committees in the early Autumn and be ready to put the early stage of that plan into action before the end of the year.

I have five particular priorities in mind at this early point:
Financial security at a time when many charities are feeling the pinch
The need for a compelling articulation of our public benefit as a charity
The best possible experience for our members and their active role in support of our charitable work
A clear and compounding strategy for our international work and the union of global partners
Enhanced profile and influence for the ESU both nationally and internationally