We appoint two new trustees to our Board

We have welcomed two new trustees to our Board, as we radically focus our vision and raise our ambition for the role of research and innovation in the humanitarian system.

We have appointed Dr Jane Cocking OBE, a senior operational and thought leader in the humanitarian and development sector, and Rhea Tariq, Deputy International Programmes Director for CAFOD to our now nine-strong Board.

Dr Jane Cocking brings more than 30 years’ experience in the humanitarian and development sector. Until recently, she was CEO at MAG (The Mines Advisory Group). She was also Humanitarian Director at Oxfam, responsible for the organisation’s global humanitarian capacity and response.

Commenting on the establishment of Elrha in 2009 when only a few actors were dedicated to supporting humanitarian action through research and innovation, Dr Cocking said “I have been a strong supporter of Elrha since the beginning.

“I believe that research and innovation are critical to ensuring that people caught up in humanitarian crises are supported as they would wish to be. I am delighted to become a Trustee.”

Our board is also bolstered by the appointment of Rhea Tariq, strategic and operational management expert with 20 years’ experience. Ms Tariq is passionate about promoting leadership, voice and agency of communities and local organisations within the aid sector. This passion will complement our long term commitment to a more equitable and effective humanitarian research and innovation system, one that leads to better, locally informed, and culturally appropriate responses for people affected by crises.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Board of Elrha!” Ms Tariq said. “Being part of an organisation that is leading the way in humanitarian innovation and impact is truly inspiring, and I cannot wait to contribute my skills and experience to help shape the future of humanitarian action. I am excited for this new chapter and the impact we can make together.”

Our Board of trustees is chaired by Margie Buchanan-Smith, a Senior Research Associate with the Humanitarian Policy Group at ODI and a Visiting Fellow at the Feinstein International Center of Tufts University with more than 30 years of experience in the sector.

Meet the rest of our Board here.