Tenure of first CSSA Chair to end

5 September 2024

The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) today (5 September 2024) confirms that its current Chair, Nazir Afzal OBE, will stand down after over three years in post, as his tenure ends.

Nazir said: “I’m immensely proud of how far the CSSA has come. When I started, there was no independent regulation of safeguarding in the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Now, every Catholic Church body is audited by our independent team. We publish what we find – whatever the results. No one should underestimate the impact of this change – what it means for transparency and what it means for people’s safety.

“The Church has been courageous in working with us so positively. It hasn’t always been comfortable, because real change seldom is.  Safeguarding standards are improving. The CSSA’s work continues. The agency will soon develop even further its regulatory work and strengthen its independence. This is the right point, and an exciting time, for a new Chair to take safeguarding regulation to the next level. I have no doubt whatsoever that the CSSA will get even stronger.”

“I would like to personally thank the CSSA Board and team who have made this difficult job impactful. Most importantly, thank you to survivors of church-related abuse who have had the dignity to work with us, sometimes at a personal emotional cost. People are safer today because of their influence.”

Steve Ashley, CEO, CSSA added: “The introduction of a regulator for safeguarding in the Catholic Church was a massive task. Nazir has led us from formation to independence. He has done this with transparency – always with the vision of keeping people safe and working with the Catholic Church in that ambition. Nazir leaves us with a clear trajectory as we go from strength to strength. We are proud to have had him as our Founding Chair.”

The CSSA will soon confirm the next phase of development and its process for recruiting the next Chair.

Journalists: For an interview with Nazir, or more information, please contact: Sarah Gleadall, Communications and Engagement Manager: sarah.gleadall@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk