Claire has been a prominent name in the social enterprise movement since the early 1980s and will replace outgoing chair Baroness Glenys Thornton.

The ambassador is CEO of Blackburne House Group, a training-led organisation which runs a number of social enterprises. They provide career opportunities for women in non-traditional sectors such as construction and IT.

Jonathan Bland, chief executive of the Coalition said: "I am thrilled to be working with such a successful businesswoman and dedicated pioneer of the movement.

"Claire's achievements in Merseyside are tangible proof of how markets can be used to serve communities. The Coalition will be drawing on her wealth of experience to continue the fight to place social enterprise at the heart of the economy,” he added.

Claire said: "In the 1980s I used social enterprise to help break the barriers to women accessing careers in male-dominated markets. Now I want to use those skills to help social enterprises gain the access they deserve to all markets - and close the current gap between political rhetoric and the reality on the ground.”