Sir Ian Diamond to become Plan International UK chair

Professor Sir Ian Diamond is to become the new chair of global children’s charity Plan International UK.

Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen until July 2018, Sir Ian will become Chair of the charity from 25th April 2018.

“Plan International UK is a fantastic organisation with which I’m hugely excited to be working,” said Sir Ian. “I’ve been a great admirer of its life-changing work for girls and boys around the world for many years, and I can’t wait to get started and to help the charity continue to go from strength to strength.”

Sir Ian has extensive experience in higher education and in research in low income countries. He is also Chair of British Universities and Colleges Sport, Chair of Edinburgh College of Further Education and a board member of UK Research and Innovation.

“Stepping back into the international development sector is a challenge I’m relishing,” added Sir Ian. “In a volatile world in which poverty and gender inequality remains all too evident, never has the work of Plan International UK been more important. And never has it been more pressing to show the UK public why that’s the case.

“This fabulous organisation transforms the lives of millions of vulnerable children worldwide – and leads the way in the sector in championing the rights of adolescent girls.

“It’ll be a great pleasure for me to get to know the supporters, donors, staff and of course beneficiaries who make it all possible.”

Plan International was founded in 1937, and is now active in more than 70 countries worldwide.

Last year, the charity won its youth-driven campaign to amend the constitution in Malawi to outlaw child marriage; responded to 16 disasters across Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East; and, as part of its rapidly growing domestic work, successfully lobbied for the overhaul of the UK relationships and sex education curriculum.

Lady Amanda, who became chair in February 2016, is moving on to become a board member of Plan International, the global family of which Plan International UK is a member. She will remain a member of the Plan International UK board of trustees under Sir Ian’s leadership.

CEO Tanya Barron said: “We’re at such an exciting phase in our history – with important challenges to tackle and exciting opportunities to seize. I’m looking forward to working with Sir Ian so we can ensure that millions more children can enjoy their rights.”