Nick Clegg’s former head of communications is new BICOM chief exec
The former head of communications for Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has been appointed as the new chief executive of BICOM.
James Sorene has worked in Government for 15 years and was Deputy Director of Government Communications at Number 10 and the Cabinet Office.
James Sorene – who has also served as Head of Public Affairs at the Israeli Embassy – said it was an “honour and privilege” to take up the role. “For many years I have been a passionate advocate for greater understanding of Israel and the Middle East in the UK.
“BICOM has a crucial role in producing expert analysis and providing a forum for British and Israeli academics and opinion-formers to work together, share ideas, examine solutions and shape the international debate.”
Chairman of the BICOM Board of Directors, Edward Misrahi, said: “James’ candidacy stood out among a particularly strong group of applicants to lead BICOM. He has worked for both the British and Israeli Governments and is extremely knowledgeable on Israel and the wider Middle East.
“We are very proud of everything that BICOM has achieved in the last few years and the excellent service it provides. We look forward to working with James to strengthen the organisation and build on its many successes to date.”
Meanwhile, Arieh Miller is to leave his post as head of Jewish community relations at the Israeli Embassy to succeed Alan Aziz as the director of the Zionist Federation.
The 27-year-old said he was “looking forward to bringing his passion fo Israel and the UK community together, and to continuing the great work the organisation already does, perhaps adding a few touches of my own”.
ZF chair Paul Charney said the appointment at a time when hostility to Israel is a growing concern was a “demonstration of our desire to be the leading voice for Zionism. Arieh’s hands-on experience in one of the most successful and well-respected embassies for Israel set him out as the one to help us achieve that.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
