Start Network announces new Trustee and new Chair

The Start Network is delighted to announce two new additions to the Start Network Board of Trustees.

Degan Ali and Richard Winter join to strengthen the Board’s capacity and expertise through a challenging transition period which in the short term will include setting up a new charity, independent of current host Save the Children UK. Longer-term the network is embarking on an ambitious strategic journey which will see the network evolve into a decentralised ‘network of networks’.

Degan Ali, Executive Director of Adeso, was voted by the Start Network Assembly in November as the newest Member Trustee. Her leadership within Adeso and the NEAR Network, and her advocacy on behalf of national and local actors to achieve a more balanced humanitarian aid system, will be an asset to Start Network's leadership as it pursues its decentralisation strategy.

Richard Winter has joined the Board as an Independent Trustee, and earlier in February was voted as the new Chair of the Start Network Board, taking over from Lola Gostelow. He is a senior partner at PWC and has served as honorary Treasurer of Save the Children UK. His business acumen, and long experience in both the private and charity sectors, will be essential in navigating Start Network's transition from a hosted entity to an independent, international platform.

When asked what excites him the most about joining the Start Network, Richard said:

"Being part of such a broad and energised, innovative, committed and ambitious network-  especially at what it is a defining moment for the organisation as it moves to full independence. Start is well-placed to meet the challenges of becoming more anticipatory, adaptive and "local" as a sector, so as to increase relevance, effectiveness and impact of responses. By working together, we can develop imaginative and sustainable solutions that will maximise outcomes over the long-term for humanitarian action"

We have created a Chatter Group where Start Network members can address questions to Richard or Degan directly. If you would like to join the group, please email Antigone.