BILL RAMMELL, former senior Labour government minister and university vice-chancellor, has been appointed chief executive of Parallel Histories, a highly successful charity dedicated to teaching the competing narratives in conflict situations.    

Mr Rammell, who has gained national and international experience in the educational, political and business sectors since he left government in 2010 will succeed Michael Davies, who founded Parallel Histories to help students and teachers better understand and navigate the context in which conflicts arise.

Parallel Histories was established in 2017 to augment teachers’ resources.  They make it possible for students to examine the source evidence and debate alternative interpretations before they reach any conclusions.  Not only is it designed to help with the study of history but it will help prepare students to become active citizens in healthy, pluralistic democracies.    Already it is widely used in hundreds of schools throughout the UK 

Mr Davies warmly welcomed Mr Rammell’s appointment. He said: “Bill Rammell is an excellent appointment.  I have every confidence he will unlock Parallel Histories’ potential for growth.   He will bring with him years of executive and strategic experience and is ready to implement many out-of-the box ideas.  I am delighted my successor is of such a high calibre.”

Mr Rammell who was a Minister of State in the department of Lifelong Learning and Further and Higher Education, the Foreign Office and the MOD, and a University Vice Chancellor for 8 years understands the desperate need for deeper understanding of challenging, geo political issues.

He said: “I am a passionate advocate of free speech and open debate as the best means of resolving problems and exposing and challenging extremism. 

I am hugely inspired to lead Parallel Histories in its work to support and resource teachers to teach about historical conflict where there are heated and polarised views”.

Looking forward to the challenge of extending the reach of Parallel Histories and the impact it will have on students’ understanding of complex issues, he added: “ Students who take part in Parallel Histories debates develop the analytical, oracy skills and confidence which are life changing, and which hugely boost their employability. I am really pleased to lead the organisation delivering this work, which so chimes with my educational values and beliefs. And the challenge of sourcing funds and growing Parallel Histories is one I’m relishing.”