Trust is delighted to introduce its new Chairman
At the last meeting of Trustees, Lord Robertson intimated his retirement from the chairmanship after four years on the Board of Trustees. He was warmly thanked for his leadership and for taking the Trust forward so successfully.
The Trustees unanimously resolved to invite Lord Falconer of Thoroton to succeed Lord Robertson. Lord Falconer accepted this invitation and said that he was honoured to be able to play a part in advancing the ideals of John Smith, whom he had known well and greatly admired.
Lord Falconer was Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs for four years from June 2003. He has considerable experience of government, having occupied several ministerial posts, beginning as Solicitor-General in 1997 before becoming Minister of State at the Cabinet Office. He had earlier pursued a successful legal career as a barrister, being called to the Bar, Inner Temple in 1974.
Lord Falconer gives a presentation at the conference in Tbilisi, Georgia
Photo courtesy of Ruti Frensdorff
Lord Falconer has engaged enthusiastically with the work of the Trust since joining us. In particular, he took an active part in the Follow-Up Conference held in Tbilisi, Georgia, in April 2008. There he met Fellows from the 2007 group and other Fellows from previous years. We look forward to his leading the Trust to further success in spreading understanding of the practices and ideals that underpin mature democracy.