Bradford Cathedral has appointed a new chairman of the Cathedral Council.

Derek Twine CBE, a former chief executive of the Scout Association, the UK’s largest youth movement for young people, who attends All Saints Church in Ilkley, will be commissioned at the meeting of Council at Choral Evensong at 5.30pm on Monday, May 19.

Derek replaces Professor Arthur Francis, of Addingham, who retired at the end of March after fourteen years in post.

Derek is also chairman of the Commission on Governance in the Third Sector; a trustee and vice-chairman of the Church Urban Fund, addressing poverty in our inner cities: founder member of the board for Youth United, a UK initiative chaired by the HRH Prince of Wales; Member of the British Youth Council’s Strategic Advisory Panel; and a Council member of the National Trust.

After studying at Bangor University where he gained a first class honours degree, he went on to post-graduate research, and then was on the academic staff. He then moved through a career in the third sector. He is an alumnus and visiting speaker for the Windsor Leadership Trust.

Derek held voluntary posts with the National Youth Agency, National Council for Voluntary Organisations, National Council for Voluntary Youth Services and the National Trust.

He has written and presented evidence to Parliamentary Enquiries and Select Committees, lobbied governments on key issues, and represents youth work and the wider voluntary sector in the media. He has commercial non-executive director experience, and is approved by the UK and the Guernsey financial regulators.

Derek is also Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and a Freeman of the City of London. In 2007 the Queen appointed Derek a CBE for services to young people.

Derek was also vice-chairman of Governors for Davenant Foundation School, a Christian ecumenical academy for ages 11 to 18. He and Rhoda now attend All Saints Ilkley.

He says: “This is an exciting time for our Cathedral, both in the City and across the Diocese. There is still much to be done towards our mission, especially with those who are marginalised and in poverty, but there is a renewed sense of energy and optimism in the air.

“Professor Arthur Francis, my predecessor, will be a hard act to follow, but with fellow Council members we commit ourselves to support Dean Jerry and to give value-added.”

The Very Reverend Jerry Lepine, Dean of Bradford said: “It is really good news for Bradford Cathedral to have someone of Derek’s calibre as our new chair of Council. He will bring a national perspective as well as huge experience in charitable governance, strategic thinking and understanding of God’s mission. I am really looking forward to working with him.”