We are delighted to announce that we have appointed Anna Bird as the next Chief Executive of the European Movement. Anna, a committed and passionate pro-European, is tasked with growing the movement and focusing the campaign effort to uphold the values, rights and access the UK currently shares with members of the European Union. The appointment comes at a critical time for the organisation, with a No Deal Brexit well and truly back on the cards.
With a career spent in campaigning organisations in the charity sector, Bird’s appointment will bring a fresh, civil society perspective to the European Movement.
Anna joins the European Movement from Scope, where as an Executive Director she transformed the charity’s influence and reputation in Westminster and secured important wins for disabled people’s employment. She was previously a senior leader at the Fawcett Society, campaigning for women’s equality, and at Mind, the mental health charity.
Anna Bird, newly appointed CEO of the European Movement UK said:
“I’m delighted to be appointed to the role. The European Movement is built on the passion and commitment of thousands of activists up and down the country, its local groups and its impressive network of supporters both inside and beyond Westminster. As Chief Executive of the European Movement I want to build the strength of this community - its size, its diversity and its influence - and to make sure our work truly connects with all those across the country who are or will be affected by Brexit. .”
Stephen Dorrell, Chair of the European Movement UK said:
“Anna Bird is joining the European Movement at a critical time for the organization and for our country. Despite repeated assurances by ministers that our relationship with other European countries would not be disrupted by Brexit, and that Britain could “have its cake and eat it”, it is becoming clearer by the day that minsters plan to put the livelihoods of millions of British people at further risk at the end of this year, just at the time when our economy will be struggling to recover from Coronavirus.
The European Movement brings together people from all political parties and none, to express their opposition to this reckless and irresponsible policy and to campaign for full engagement with our neighbours in Europe who share our interests and our values. We are delighted that Anna will be joining us at such a critical time to develop our capacity to ensure those people are seen and heard”.