Ep 42. Areeba Hamid and Will McCallum co-Executive Directors, Greenpeace UK: Co-leading for Change

06/05/23 • 51 min

“We have won the war on climate denial... (but) we cannot underestimate what an enormous fight this is... the climate movement being mainstream doesn’t mean we have the power to make change happen yet.”
In this episode, I have the privilege of speaking with not one, but two impressive non-profit leaders: Areeba Hamid and Will McCallum, co-Executive Directors of Greenpeace UK.
What's unique about Areeba and Will is that together they have shattered several barriers in their leadership roles. Areeba is the first woman and person of colour to lead Greenpeace UK, and, they are the first duo to assume this position.
We dive into the essential role that Greenpeace continues to play in today's world, where the climate movement has become mainstream, and how their work continues to influence policy and drive social change.
We explore the co-leadership model that Areeba and Will have adopted, discovering what makes it work and how they navigate conflicts. They also share valuable advice for other charity leaders and organisations who may be contemplating this approach. Recorded April 2023.
Guest Biographies
Areeba Hamid is co-Executive Director of Greenpeace UK. Areeba has worked at senior levels in Greenpeace offices around the world from 2006-2020, campaigning on issues like marine conservation, coal expansion in India, rainforest destruction in Indonesia, and tar sands in Canada and North America. Areeba re-joined Greenpeace UK from The Sunrise Project, where she led their global finance program. She is also a board member of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants. Born in India, she will be the first woman and first person of colour to lead Greenpeace in the UK.
Will McCallum is co-Executive Director of Greenpeace UK. Prior to this, he was Head of Oceans at Greenpeace UK from 2015-22. Will led campaigns on sustainable fisheries, including working alongside low impact fishing communities. He founded and led the international 30x30 campaign geared to create ocean sanctuaries in international and national waters. Before that, he oversaw the launch of Greenpeace UK’s first campaigns on plastic, helping reshape the global conversation about plastic waste away from litter to being one about reducing production. He is the author of the book, How to Give Up Plastic, which has been translated into 12 languages.
Links
https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/

Previous Episode

Ep 41. Anna Josse, Founder & CEO Prism the Gift Fund: The Joy of Giving, without the hassle of admin!

“Gift Aid, yes people know about it (but) they still dont understand it... there is about £750m unclaimed in Gift Aid every year, split between smaller charities unable to claim or dont have the skills to do it and higher rate tax-payers not really understanding ... how they could be claiming an additional 25% on the gross (donation) in their tax returns.”
Our guest today is Anna Josse, Founder and CEO of Prism the Gift Fund.
Prism is a UK-based charity that is changing the face of philanthropy. Prism’s mission is to increase the flow of funds into the charitable sector, through creating efficiencies in the process of giving.
Prism offers a unique and straight-forward alternative to setting up a charitable foundation, enabling donors to give tax-efficiently without the administrative hassle. Since its inception in 2005, Prism has facilitated over £550m in donations to thousands of charities across the world.
In this episode, we dive into the different services offered by Prism, including Donor Advised Funds and Collective Funds. We explore how their innovative approach is revolutionising mid to high level giving in the UK, and also discuss the rise of the Philanthropy Paradox.
Anna shares her insights on how the UK charity sector can learn from the American approach to philanthropy, as well as her vision for making philanthropy accessible to all.
Recorded February 2023.
Guest Biography
Anna Josse is the Founder and CEO of Prism the Gift Fund (Prism). Prism’s aim is to increase the flow of funds into the charity sector.
Previously, she worked in the high-tech industry and set up the Yazam EU office as Director of Investor Relations and set up and ran the British arm of a USA based charity, the New Israel Fund. Anna also acts as a trustee and advisor for several charities. She is the director and shareholder of the financial services company Regent Capital that specialises in investment products and services to UK-based HNW investors
Links
https://prismthegiftfund.co.uk/
This episode is sponsored by Society https://www.society-search.com/

Next Episode

Ep 43. Mark Russell, CEO The Children's Society: Fighting for Hope and Happiness

“You change the world, when you change the lives of children... It is better for society to build stronger children, than fix broken adults.”
The Children’s Society believes that every young person deserves a good childhood.
Reflecting on the current context for young people in the UK today, is Mark Russell, CEO of The Children’s Society.
Mark tells us how he and his colleagues are stepping up the fight for hope and happiness for young people, at a time when its under threat like never before.
We explore the ramifications of the UK government’s Illegal Migration Bill and why British children have the lowest well-being rates in Europe.
The goal of The Children’s Society is that by 2030, the damaging decline in children’s well-being has been overturned, setting a path for long lasting growth and prosperity. Mark sets out what he believes needs to happen for us to get there.
Its a conversation full of passion, raw anger and hope. Enjoy.
Recorded May 2023.
Guest Biography
Mark Russell was appointed Chief Executive of The Children’s Society in 2019 and leads a team of 750 staff and 10,000 volunteers. He is passionately committed to social justice and fighting for children and young people. Before joining The Children’s Society, Mark served as Chief Executive of Church Army for 13 years.
Mark grew up in Northern Ireland and read Law at Queen’s University Belfast. He has 10 years’ experience as a youth worker, supporting young people in England and Northern Ireland. In 1999, Mark was awarded the ‘British Gas Tomorrow’s People Award’ for his cross-community work, bringing Catholic and Protestant young people together across Northern Ireland in the run up to the Good Friday Agreement.
Mark has been a Trustee of The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England and has served as Chair of The Marylebone Project, the largest women only homeless project in the UK. He is a Governor of a large high school in Hampshire, an Honorary Canon of Southwark Cathedral and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts.
Mark lives outside London with his partner David and in his spare time he loves to travel, keep fit and a good red wine. If he were ever on Mastermind, his specialist subject would be the West Wing!
Links
https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/ Twitter: @markrusselluk