Simon Beresford

I am a co-opted trustee (i.e. an independent trustee rather than a representative of one of their member charities) on the board of Children England, the national membership organisation for children's charities in England. Children England is a charity created, governed and inspired by other charities. Our mission is to change the world for England’s children by harnessing the energy, ingenuity and expertise of the voluntary organisations that work on their behalf.

I lead the Fundraising and Marketing Department at the DEC and sit on the Executive Leadership Team for the wider organisation. I am responsible for all fundraising, including high value partnerships, individual giving, online and offline marketing and supporter services. The DEC brings 15 leading UK aid charities together in times of international humanitarian crisis. We launch appeals, in partnership with the UK’s national broadcasters, to raise money to help those impacted by disaster, making sure that funds reach those that need them most. I have been privileged to lead fundraising and marketing for the following appeals since joining the team: - Indonesia Tsunami Appeal (raising over £30 million) - Cyclone Idai Appeal for the aid response across Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi (£43 million) - Coronavirus Appeal initially launched to support the aid response to the virus in 7 vulnerable contexts including Syria, Yemen and South Sudan. This then expanded to include India as the global pandemic unfolded, raised over £62 million in total. - Afghanistan Crisis Appeal, still live having raised over £44 million to date at the time of writing. - And most recently the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, truly a 'once in a generation' response from the UK public to an international humanitarian appeal, raising over £300 million to date at the time of writing.