I am deeply proud of the work that this amazing charity has achieved over the past 75 years, and I look forward to meeting candidates who share our vision of its enormous future potential.

Every year we make a real difference to the lives of many thousands of refugees and people seeking asylum. They come to our country to escape the horrors of war and violence, seeking safety and the chance to rebuild their lives, wanting to integrate into communities and contribute to British society.

Our services provide a vital lifeline for men, women, and children, helping them feel safe and develop a sense of belonging in their new communities. We support them in putting down new roots, learning English, finding employment, and using their skills through volunteering. All of this enables them to integrate and move forward with their lives. Moreover, by influencing Government policy and building broad constituencies of support, we seek to create a better environment for refugees to rebuild their lives.

For us, as with many charities in our sector, the operating environment has never been tougher. We live in an era in which there are more refugees than at any time since WW2, across more and more countries, and in which they face more and more complex challenges. Yet we are clear that this is a moment of opportunity for the Refugee Council. Our new Chief Executive will play a central role in shaping the organisation’s future and helping to create a more compassionate and effective environment for people seeking safety in the UK.

I recognise that the role of Chief Executive in a complex, well-respected and public-facing charity is no easy task, and I am grateful that you are considering making that commitment. In return, however, you will have an unmatched opportunity to shape the debate about migration, cohesion and justice – and help inspire change for people and communities.