Specialism: International Development
Term of office: January 2021 – January 2024
Ben has been CEO of the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) since 2015. He has 30 years’ experience of working internationally, with an emphasis on global health and disability work. He has worked extensively across Africa, Europe, Latin America and Asia during this time, harnessing expertise from across the UK health community, in the NHS and in specialist medical charities such as Sue Ryder and Sense, to benefit the development of health and social care in low and middle-income countries.
For the last fifteen years he has been in leadership roles, building a strong track-record advocacy and programme innovation, and working closely with UK Government departments and UN agencies. His knowledge of the INGO sector is further informed by periods chairing BOND Working Groups and taking active roles in health networks such as STOPAIDS, the network he directed from 2010 to 2015.
Ben has led an active voluntary life in the UK throughout this time, serving as a Councillor and acting as a Trustee of several charities. He became a Fellow of the RSA in 2019. Ben has an MSc in Development Management from the Open University and an MA in History from Edinburgh University.
Appeals Advisory Committee Members
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Robert Williamson OBE DL (AAC Chair)
Chief Executive, Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland -
Ben Simms (Vice Chair)
Chief Executive, Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) -
Eliot Lyne
Chief Executive Officer Norfolk Wildlife Trust -
Paul Streets OBE
Non-Executive Director at the Central & North West London NHS Foundation Trust -
Frances Longley
CEO, FIGO - the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics -
Jean McLean
Director of Policy Engagement and Communications for Elrha -
Jane Dye
Chief Executive at InFocus Charity -
Helen Foster
COO of Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) -
Richard Bowyer
Chief Executive of Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity -
Isa Miah
Associate Director, National Programmes at Malala Fund -
Rose Caldwell
CEO of Plan International UK -
Bailey Grey
Human Rights Consultant