Plan International UK appoints new Directors of International Programmes and Finance

Global children’s charity Plan International UK has appointed Tsungai Mahumucha as its new Director of International Programmes, and John Lockett as its new Director of Finance and Resources.

It comes as the charity also announces three new trustees: Girish Menon, CEO of STiR Education UK and former CEO of ActionAid UK; Salma Nims, the Secretary-General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women; and Hope Mbuthi, a 22-year-old activist, student and youth talk show host from Kenya. 

Tsungai joins the organisation from Plan International’s Zimbabwe office, where she worked for 10 years in various roles, most recently as Head of Programmes. In 2020, she was seconded to Plan International Zambia, where she was Interim Head of Programmes and Interim Country Director. 

She said: “Having worked for Plan Zimbabwe for 10 years, I have a strong understanding of what it’s like to operate in this context. Some of the issues we work on are lived experiences for me; they are not things I’ve read, but things I’ve experienced within my extended family or in communities we serve.  

“This has made me a firm believer in programmes that actively involve their target groups to have a voice on the issues that affect them, rather than treating them as passive recipients of aid. 

“I hope that together with my colleagues we will always think about power and privilege as we work with children and young people, particularly girls, and I look forward to creating real change where it is needed most.” 

John joins the organisation from Practical Action and WaterAid before that.   

He said: “I'm excited to be part of the drive to advance children's rights and equality for girls. For me, this is a mission that works for both head and heart. 

“Over the past decade or so, I’ve built an understanding of the unique and diverse challenges faced by NGOs. Along the way, I’ve solved a few problems and learnt that others are more intractable, yet not insurmountable with effective collaboration, focus and a little creativity.  

“I’ve joined an organisation with great people and incredible capabilities that delivers life-changing work. We’re also an organisation on a journey and striving to be even better. I’m looking forward to getting to work.” 

Rose Caldwell, Chief Executive of Plan International UK, said: “I am so pleased to be welcoming Tsungai and John at such a critical time for Plan International UK and the wider development sector. I am also delighted that our Board has recruited such talented new trustees, who will ensure diversity of thought and challenge, as well as the excellent oversight that our Board provides.  

“COVID-19 has posed enormous challenges for the sector and threatens to turn back the clock on girls’ rights both here in the UK and around the world.  

“Yet with their formidable wealth of experience, I am confident that Tsungai and John will more than rise to the challenge and help us go from strength to strength in protecting and championing the rights of girls. 

“At the same time, our new trustees bring exciting and unique perspectives that will ensure we are able to achieve our goals and ambitions.”