The Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (acevo) will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year and has been congratulated by Tony Blair on the achievement.

The prime minister dedicated a New Year’s message to the association in a special commemorative booklet published to mark the milestone, honouring the “remarkable” contribution of third sector leaders.

“The government strongly backs your desire to play a bigger role in the reform and design on public services and in ensuring that sector leaders are heard in the corridors of power,” Mr Blair wrote.

“Your success has been remarkable and your mission to drive up the talents and potential of the sector’s chief executives is hugely important. The sector is growing in its professionalism and needs bodies like yours to develop and strengthen sector leaders.”

Paying tribute to aveco chairman Stephen Bubb and all 2,000 members of the professional body, the prime minister added: “I wish you well as you prosper over the next 20 years.”

Each member of the organisation will receive the commemorative booklet within the next month and a number of events will be hosted over the year to both celebrate past achievements and prepare for the future.

A Commemorative Summer Ball will take place on June 6th, there will be an anniversary forum on June 7th and a reception at 10 Downing Street is expected to take place in the summer.

Representing a not-for-profit sector that employs in the region of 1.5 million staff, aveco represents charities and voluntary bodies with a collective annual turnover exceeding £46 billion.

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