Start Network is pleased to welcome Sanjayan Srikanthan, CEO of Shelterbox, as the new chair of the board of trustees.
Sanjayan Srikanthan
Sanj previously worked for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) during which time he served as Senior Vice President IRC Europe and Executive Director of IRC UK. As part of his role at IRC, Sanj served as an assembly representative and as the chair of the Start Fund Committee. He is now returning to Start Network in a new capacity and at a critical time in its evolution, in line with our bold vision for the sector—one which puts locally-led action at the centre of everything we do. Sanj’s understanding of global humanitarian challenges; his familiarity with Start Network and its members; and his energy and solutions-focused approach will be a great asset to the Board and to Start Network’s future of transformation and change.
On his appointment as chair of the Start Network Board, Sanj said:
“The challenges the world faces today are greater than we imagined when Start was created, but I am confident that by bringing the power of civil society around the world together, people and communities can make a difference to the lives of those who remain forgotten by the rest of the world. The Start Network is that meeting place for organisations around the world who have that passion to change the narrative of the past and build a more inclusive, fair and just humanitarian system. I am proud to be able to add my contribution”
Sanj will be taking over from member trustee and Vice-Chair Noreen Gumbo (Trocaire) who briefly stepped into the leadership role following Christof Maetze’s departure in March. In his three years as independent trustee and chair, Christof supported Start Network with its spin-off from Save the Children UK in May 2019, and supported it through the tricky period of newfound independence that followed.
Start Network is also welcoming Mohammed Nadeem as our newest independent trustee and chair of our Risk and Compliance Committee.
Mohammed Nadeem
Mohammed has a background in risk and regulatory compliance, and currently works as the Senior Compliance Monitoring Officer at a wealth management firm. Having worked in both the commercial and charity sectors, he has experience in matters of risk, due diligence and investigations in a range of areas such as safeguarding and whistleblowing. Mohammed had this to say about joining the Board:
"I am excited to join Start Network, whom I have long-admired for its innovative and trend-setting approach to humanitarian action. Start aims to enact long-term meaningful change but isn't afraid to also turn [the sector] on its head, rapidly and proactively tackling issues, pushing boundaries. The sector needs more cohesion, more localisation and more impact, especially in a post COVID world, where budgets are decreasing but the need is growing, which is why organisations like Start Network are needed to truly transform the sector and herald it into a new era of humanitarian action."
Mohammed was appointed following the departure of Shaima Al Zarooni, who came to the end of her trustee term in May. Shaima served as an independent trustee for six years, during which time she contributed to our success through establishing connections with donors, chairing Start Network’s Nominations Committee and briefly serving on its Finance and Audit Committee.