Tanya Steele announced as new DEC trustee
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is pleased to announce that Tanya Steele will join the DEC Board of Trustees as an independent trustee. Tanya will succeed Baroness Helene Hayman when she completes her term this month.
Tanya has been Chief Executive of WWF since 2017 and previously held positions at two DEC member charities – starting in the sector as a volunteer for the British Red Cross before moving to Save the Children where she drove supporter growth and income as Executive Director of Marketing, Fundraising and Communications, and later led the organisation as interim Chief Executive.
Responding to the announcement of her appointment, Tanya said: “My first involvement with the DEC was only three months after joining Save the Children in response to the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. This proved to be a turning point for the sector and the DEC’s role within it, and one the most humbling and defining experiences of my career. This redefined the relationship between the delivery of aid, the power of the media, and the UK public’s desire to help which the DEC movement continues to successfully build on. I am delighted to now join the board and help contribute to the DEC’s continued success.”
Sue Inglish, Chair of the DEC Board of Trustees, said: “Tanya is no stranger to the DEC, having supported the organisation over many DEC appeals. She joins the DEC board at a time where we’re seeing many changes in our sector and that of our partners in the media and corporate world, so we are delighted to welcome Tanya with her long standing knowledge, experience and strategic insight which will all be of immense value to DEC as we all navigate an ever changing world. We all look forward to working with Tanya.
“I would also like to express my thanks to our outgoing trustee, Baroness Helene Hayman, who is stepping down this month after serving two full terms. During her six years on the Board of Trustees, Baroness Hayman helped launch 11 appeals which raised more than £470 million. She brought to the Board a wealth of experience on health in developing countries and has made a significant contribution to our work over the past few years. Baroness Hayman will be missed, but we wish her all the best in her next pursuits.”
Notes to editors
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About the DEC: When large-scale disasters hit countries without the capacity to respond, the DEC brings together 14 leading UK aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently. In these times of crisis, people in life-and-death situations need our help and our mission is to save, protect and rebuild lives through effective humanitarian response. The DEC’s 14 member charities are: Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB, Plan International UK, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK.
