New board members elected at Bond’s annual general meeting

This week, Bond hosted its annual general meeting.

We welcomed new and returning trustees, celebrated Bond and the sectors achievements from the last financial year and discussed the future of the Bond Charter and what’s to come from new projects set up to support and challenge the sector, including the Future Dialogues project and our work on localisation and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Here are some of the highlights.

Meet Bond’s new trustees

Jen Codman, head of people at Restless Development, will be joining our Board. Jen joined Restless Development in June this year. Prior to that, she spent time with the Royal Voluntary Service, Bioden and a five year stint with the British Red Cross.

Jen said of her appointment to Bond’s board, “I was keen to be involved in an organisation that supported others to succeed and to grow – but was also willing and eager to adapt and respond to the challenging political and environmental factors that are affecting charities and civil society actors today.

“Bond seemed like a good place to begin this journey as the resources, networks and training they provide members really resonated with my own interests and they seemed as keen as I am to challenge the status quo and the prevailing practices that often inhibit international development.”

Anushree Rao, the director of policy and campaigns at Concern Worldwide UK, will also be joining the Board. Anushree was promoted to director level nine months ago. She has also held a number of advocacy roles at Results UK. She is an independent expert group member of The Global Nutrition Report, which looks at malnutrition across the world, and how it can be addressed.

Following her election, Anushree said “I was excited at the prospect of joining the Bond Board of Trustees at a time where Bond is as relevant as ever in convening the international development community to push for urgent action on the multiple and complex crises that impact the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable. At the same time, its role is crucial in steering the sector to navigate crucial issues that will make us more credible, accountable, and foresighted.”

Finally, Kashif Shabir, CEO at Muslim Aid, will also be joining us. Kashif has been CEO, initially as an interim, from April 2020. Kashif has worked with Euro Charity Trust, British Red Cross and Oxfam, as well as spending time in the private sector, principally with Nokia.

Kashif is also a consultant and managing director with the Ethical Business Service, which helps charities with future proofing.

Welcoming back returning Bond trustees

Zoë Abrams, executive director of strategy, advocacy and communications with British Red Cross was reffirmed for another term on the Board of Trustees. Zoe has held roles with Barnardo’s, as well as a spell in the civil service with the Ministry of Justice. She joined the Bond board in 2018, and is part of the Bond charter steering group.

Marcus Missen also makes a welcome return. Marcus joined the board three years ago. He is executive director fundraising, communications and marketing at Leonard Cheshire, where he joined following a nine year stay with WaterAid. Marcus is on an advisory panel for The Resource Alliance.

Bond charter

After nine years of tinkering with the set of increasingly outdated principals which made up the Bond Charter, we decided last year that it needed on overhaul. The first draft of the new charter was unveiled at the AGM, and attendees were asked for their initial input. Over the next 12 months, we’ll be gathering feedback and views from our members, working groups and other partners. Look out for these engagement opportunities, and please take part. Find out more about our work on the charter.

A look back at some of Bond’s successes during a challenging year

Bond’s CEO, Stephani Draper presented a look at our work to encourage and support the sector on locally-led development, which has been a key area of work for Bond over the last 18 months following the publication of our “Four transitions reshaping the UK’s international development system“.

Lena Bheeroo presented Bond’s work on anti-racism in the sector, expanding on her report “Racism, power and truth“.

Paul Abernethy, Bond’s government relations and public affairs manager walked through the highs and lows from Bond and the sectors tireless work campaigning to protect 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) on Official Development Assistance (ODA), pushing back against the aid cuts and the DFID and FCO merger.

Finally, our fantastic working groups had the opportunity to showcase their work and many achievements, including Bond’s Disability and Development Group which continues to hold the government to account on their commitment to deliver DFID’s Disability Inclusion Strategy, and Bond’s People of Colour in Development working group which continues to influence the sector to address racism and inequality.

As always, none of Bond’s achievements would be possible without our incredible members, so thank you for your ongoing input and support. And we would like to extend a warm welcome to our new board members. We look forward to working with you.