New Appointments to ACT’s Board of Trustees and Council
We are pleased to announce recent changes to the leadership of the Association for Citizenship Teaching’s Board of Trustees and Council
We are pleased to announce recent changes to the leadership of the Association for Citizenship Teaching’s Board of Trustees and Council, shared at this year’s annual Teaching Citizenship Conference.
These changes mark a new chapter for ACT’s governance and education leadership, as we thank long-serving contributors and welcome new appointees to key roles supporting the charity’s mission.
Marcus Bhargava, who joined ACT’s Board of Trustees in 2019 and became Chair in 2022, has now stepped down from the role following the end of his term.
Marcus has been a committed advocate for Citizenship education throughout his career — as a secondary teacher, PGCE leader, national curriculum adviser and researcher. He led one of the first discrete Citizenship departments in England, contributed to national subject panels, and continues to write and work in the field alongside his role as Head of the School of Education, Midwifery and Social Work at Kingston University London.
“It’s been a real privilege to support ACT as Trustee and Chair over the past six years,” said Marcus. “Citizenship education has never been more important, and ACT is in a strong position to continue championing high-quality teaching and national policy influence. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and delighted to be handing over to Helen, whose expertise and energy will serve the charity brilliantly.”
We extend our sincere thanks to Marcus for his thoughtful leadership, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment to ACT’s mission and values.
We are delighted to welcome Helen Blachford as the new Chair of Trustees. Helen brings a deep understanding of Citizenship education, having previously served as Chair of ACT’s Council and her role as Subject Director of Personal Development at Bohunt Trust.
“On behalf of the Trustees, I want to thank Marcus for his outstanding leadership and commitment to ACT,” said Helen. “He leaves the charity in a strong and positive place. I’m honoured to take up this role and excited to continue working with colleagues to support teachers and champion the value of Citizenship in schools and across society.”
As Helen takes up her new role, she steps down as Chair of ACT’s Council. We are pleased to confirm that Sera Shortland, formerly Vice Chair of Council, will now step into the role of Council Chair. A separate announcement about Sera and opportunities to join Council will follow.
Marcus has played an instrumental role in ACT’s recent growth and impact, guiding the charity through a pivotal period with clarity and purpose. We are thrilled to welcome Helen as Chair of Trustees. Her expertise and passion for Citizenship education make her the ideal person to lead our Board. I’m also delighted to see Sera stepping into the role of Council Chair – her longstanding contribution to ACT and the wider Citizenship teaching community is second to none.
Liz Moorse
ACT Chief Executive
The ACT Board of Trustees holds responsibility for the governance, strategic direction, and legal and financial oversight of the charity. The ACT Council, made up of teachers and practitioners, plays a vital role in shaping our educational programmes and supporting the work of the association.
We thank all our volunteer leaders for their continued service and look forward to this next chapter in ACT’s development.
