25 Charity Executives Across Europe’s Charities

Last updated: August 2026

This directory introduces 25 charity executives and senior nonprofit leaders whose organisations are based in, headquartered in or strongly connected to Europe. It includes international organisations, national charities and cross-border networks.

The list is designed for people who want a clearer view of the leaders behind mission-driven organisations and the different kinds of responsibility that sit behind a senior charity role.

The group spans humanitarian work, human rights, children’s services, health, conservation, research, homelessness and community support. Together, these roles show how charity leadership can connect purpose, people and practical delivery.

Why Charity Leadership Matters

Charity leadership is about more than public visibility. Executives and senior leaders set direction, steward resources, support staff and volunteers, and keep the organisation accountable to the people it exists to serve.

European charities also work across borders and systems. A leader may need to hold local delivery, international partnerships, public policy, fundraising, safeguarding and organisational culture together at the same time.

The people below show that there is no single route into the work. Some leaders come through humanitarian response or human rights. Others bring experience in health, conservation, children’s services, research, homelessness or community support.

1. Inger Ashing

Chief Executive Officer, Save the Children International

Inger Ashing is the current Chief Executive Officer at Save the Children International. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

Save the Children International presents her as its Chief Executive Officer and a senior global voice for children’s rights.

2. Dr Agnès Callamard

Secretary General, Amnesty International

Dr Agnès Callamard is the current Secretary General at Amnesty International. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

Amnesty International says the Secretary General leads its human rights work, acts as chief spokesperson and provides overall leadership.

3. Amitabh Behar

Executive Director, Oxfam International

Amitabh Behar is the current Executive Director at Oxfam International. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

Oxfam describes him as an experienced civil society leader with more than 27 years of work and previous leadership of Oxfam India.

4. Reena Ghelani

Chief Executive Officer, Plan International

Reena Ghelani is the current Chief Executive Officer at Plan International. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

Plan International describes her as a humanitarian and development leader with more than 25 years of experience, including senior United Nations service.

5. Reintje van Haeringen

Executive Director and Secretary-General, CARE International

Reintje van Haeringen is the current Executive Director and Secretary-General at CARE International. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

CARE International’s current leaders page lists her as Executive Director and Secretary-General after a leadership transition in 2025.

6. Andrew Morley

President and Chief Executive Officer, World Vision International

Andrew Morley is the current President and Chief Executive Officer at World Vision International. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

World Vision identifies him as President and CEO and says he has held the role since 2019 while leading work across more than 100 countries.

7. Mads Christensen

International Executive Director, Greenpeace International

Mads Christensen is the current International Executive Director at Greenpeace International. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

Greenpeace describes the International Executive Director as its chief steward, responsible for strategic cohesion and organisational leadership.

8. Kirsten Schuijt

Director General, WWF International

Kirsten Schuijt is the current Director General at WWF International. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

WWF International’s current annual review identifies her as Director General, the organisation’s senior executive leader.

9. David Miliband

President and Chief Executive Officer, International Rescue Committee

David Miliband is the current President and Chief Executive Officer at International Rescue Committee. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

The IRC says he oversees operations in more than 40 crisis-affected countries and leads the organisation as President and CEO.

10. Michelle Mitchell OBE

Chief Executive, Cancer Research UK

Michelle Mitchell OBE is the current Chief Executive at Cancer Research UK. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

Cancer Research UK says she became Chief Executive in 2018 and has led the charity’s strategy after senior roles at MS Society and Age UK.

11. Gemma Peters

Chief Executive Officer, Macmillan Cancer Support

Gemma Peters is the current Chief Executive Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

Macmillan’s current leadership page features her 2026 updates on community, workforce and cancer policy.

12. Dr Charmaine Griffiths

Chief Executive, British Heart Foundation

Dr Charmaine Griffiths is the current Chief Executive at British Heart Foundation. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

The British Heart Foundation lists her as Chief Executive since 2020 and notes her role as President of the European Heart Network.

13. Michelle Dyson CB

Chief Executive Officer, Alzheimer’s Society

Michelle Dyson CB is the current Chief Executive Officer at Alzheimer’s Society. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

Alzheimer’s Society identifies her as CEO, appointed in 2025, with previous experience as Director General for Adult Social Care.

14. Hilary McGrady CBE

Director-General, National Trust

Hilary McGrady CBE is the current Director-General at National Trust. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

The National Trust identifies her as Director-General and describes the Trust as Europe’s largest conservation charity.

15. Chris Sherwood

Chief Executive, RSPCA

Chris Sherwood is the current Chief Executive at RSPCA. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

The RSPCA’s current organisational update names him as Chief Executive while setting out the charity’s next phase of work.

16. Mark Dowie

Chief Executive, RNLI

Mark Dowie is the current Chief Executive at RNLI. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

The RNLI’s current governance page lists him as Chief Executive, placing the role at the centre of the charity’s lifesaving work.

17. Dr Sarah Hughes

Chief Executive Officer, Mind

Dr Sarah Hughes is the current Chief Executive Officer at Mind. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

Mind says she has worked in mental health and social justice for 35 years and has held several voluntary-sector Chief Executive roles.

18. Matthew Reed

Chief Executive, Marie Curie

Matthew Reed is the current Chief Executive at Marie Curie. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

Marie Curie says he has been Chief Executive since February 2019 and is focused on social justice and holistic end-of-life support.

19. Lynn Perry

Chief Executive, Barnardo’s

Lynn Perry is the current Chief Executive at Barnardo’s. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

Barnardo’s identifies her as CEO and describes a portfolio of 760 services supporting children, young people and families.

20. Jan Egeland

Secretary General, Norwegian Refugee Council

Jan Egeland is the current Secretary General at Norwegian Refugee Council. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

The Norwegian Refugee Council’s current leadership page lists him as Secretary General, leading a major humanitarian organisation from Europe.

21. Charlotte Slente

Secretary General, Danish Refugee Council

Charlotte Slente is the current Secretary General at Danish Refugee Council. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

The Danish Refugee Council identifies her as Secretary General and says she leads humanitarian work across emerging and protracted crises.

22. Caroline Harper

Chief Executive, Sightsavers

Caroline Harper is the current Chief Executive at Sightsavers. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

Sightsavers says she has been its Chief Executive since 2005, bringing long-term leadership continuity to the organisation.

23. Hannah Bond

Co-Chief Executive Officer, ActionAid UK

Hannah Bond is the current Co-Chief Executive Officer at ActionAid UK. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

ActionAid UK announced her as a permanent Co-Chief Executive Officer in January 2026 for the next phase of its feminist transformation.

24. Taahra Ghazi

Co-Chief Executive Officer, ActionAid UK

Taahra Ghazi is the current Co-Chief Executive Officer at ActionAid UK. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

ActionAid UK announced her as a permanent Co-Chief Executive Officer in January 2026 alongside Hannah Bond.

25. Seyi Obakin OBE

Chief Executive, Centrepoint

Seyi Obakin OBE is the current Chief Executive at Centrepoint. The role connects organisational purpose with the everyday choices that shape services, people and public trust.

Centrepoint says he joined the organisation in 2003 and has served as its Chief Executive since 2009.

What These Leaders Show Us

The strongest shared theme is connection. Senior charity leaders connect strategy with delivery, funding with purpose and organisational decisions with the lived experience of the communities they serve.

A second theme is continuity. Some leaders bring long experience in the sector, while others are stepping into a new phase of leadership. Both forms of experience matter when an organisation is balancing trust, change and practical impact.

How to Use This List

Read the names with your own organisation in mind. Notice the different ways a senior role can connect purpose, people and practical delivery.

For teams, the list can prompt a useful discussion about purpose, decision rights and the kind of culture that helps people do demanding work well. Strong leadership is practical: it should make Monday morning clearer, not just sound impressive.

Related Reading

For more practical leadership material, explore leadership team development and how to build a company culture employees will move cities to join.

About the Author

Jonno White is the founder of Consult Clarity. He helps leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at. His work is practical rather than motivational: something people can use on Monday morning, not a feeling that fades by Friday.