Saleh Saeed
Freelance management consultant, who spent four years as head of Islamic Relief, will take over from Brendan Gormley in September
The Disasters Emergency Committee, the coalition of 14 aid agencies that responds to major humanitarian disasters, has appointed Saleh Saeed as its next chief executive.
Saeed is working as a freelance management consultant but previously spent four years as chief executive of Islamic Relief, a member agency of the DEC.
He will join in September and will take over from Brendan Gormley, who steps down after 12 years in the role.
The DEC said that Gormley, who is 65, was not planning to take another full-time role but would continue to act as an expert on the Improving Future Disaster Anticipation and Resilience project, which comes under the Government Office for Science.
He will also continue to be a trustee at the grant-maker the Noel Buxton Trust and the One World Media Trust, which promotes media that contribute to global dialogue and understanding.
In a statement, Saeed said he was pleased to take up the role. "I am especially keen to add to the DEC’s collective strength and public reputation by further developing our digital fundraising and enhancing our approach to accountability," he said.
Members of the DEC include Oxfam, Save the Children, Christian Aid and Age UK.
Clive Jones, chair of the DEC, said Saeed’s experience in the humanitarian sector meant that he was already familiar with many of the DEC’s key partners and the challenges the organisation was facing.
"Having led Islamic Relief through an extraordinary period of growth, he also has the experience to help the DEC maintain the trend towards larger appeal totals and manage the resulting pressures," said Jones.
