New RCSLT honorary vice-presidents announced

At the RCSLT Honours Ceremony and Giving Voice Awards on 25 September, RCSLT Chair Dr Della Money announced the appointment of two new honorary vice-presidents: Lord Ramsbotham and Lord Shinkwin.

Lord Ramsbotham will be a familiar name to many members. He has been an outstanding advocate for speech and language therapy over many years and has long championed the work of the RCSLT in the parliamentary arena, most notably through his long-time chairing of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Speech and Language Difficulties. In recognition of his exceptional personal contribution, we are delighted that Lord Ramsbotham has accepted the nomination to be the RCSLT’s honorary life vice-president. This is the first time anyone has held the title and the Board of Trustees felt this was a fitting way to mark his service.

Lord Shinkwin has also worked to raise the profile of the profession over the past 18 months, promoting the Bercow: Ten Years On report by tabling numerous parliamentary questions and facilitating meetings with ministers for the RCSLT and the children’s charity I CAN.

The outgoing Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow also continues in his post as one of our honorary vice-presidents.

We look forward to continuing to update members on the involvement of Lord Ramsbotham and Lord Shinkwin in RCSLT work.