I am Andrew Purkis. I am a Trustee of ActionAid International andActionAid UK, Executive Director of a grant-giving Charitable Trust and Deputy Chairman of the universities’ ombudsman scheme, the OIA. All my blogs are written in an individual capacity only.
I obtained First Class Honours and later a Doctorate of Philosophy in Modern History at Oxford and have now revived my historical interests. Meanwhile, my career has been as a fast stream civil servant for a few years and since then in the charity sector. I have been Assistant Director of NCVO, National Director of CPRE, Secretary of Public Affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Chief Executive of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund and Chief Executive of the Tropical Health and Education Trust. I have also been Chair of four charities: The Green Alliance, Living Streets, The Empty Homes Agency and ActionAid. I was a Board Member of the Charity Commission for four years and have also been member of The Parole Board. I was appointed OBE for services to the voluntary sector.
I live in Balham, London with my wife and have two grown up children. I love walking, gardening, travelling, cinema, theatre and music, and I sing in the Festival Chorus.
Follow me on Twitter @AndrewPurkis.
andrewpurkis 
Pleased to see someone tackling these issues which are proving impossible for us lesser mortals. Thank you.
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Andrew,
Could you give me a ring sometime!
I’m doing a podcast with Christopher Hope of the Telegraph about the ridiculous cancel culture meeting and I’d like to discuss some lines to take in defence of our sector. I know you will have a sensible approach and I want to put the best foot forward against the absurdities of the government and Dowden on this issue.
(07785) 387844
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Steve, Hi, and yes of course. I’ll give you a ring a bit later this morning. Look forward to a chat. A.
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