ActionAid UK today announces the appointment of Hannah Bond and Taahra Ghazi as its permanent Co-Chief Executive Officers, following a competitive process led by Cadence Partners. They take up their roles in January 2026, as the organisation embarks on a new phase of feminist leadership and strategic transformation.
These appointments come as ActionAid UK continues to implement its strategy launched last year, focused on strengthening internal systems and ways of working to shift power to the women, girls, and movements the organisation partners with. ActionAid places the transformative power of feminist leadership centre stage of its work and is committed to learning from and supporting grassroots women’s rights organisations and movements.
Women’s rights organisations are critical actors in addressing the structural roots of gender inequality, are rooted in their communities, and being experts on their own lives are uniquely positioned to create solutions that are meaningful, empowering and sustainable. The new Co-CEOs will bring their expertise to spearhead ActionAid UK’s collective efforts to scale up partnerships with women’s rights organisations, activists, social movements, funding partners and supporters to achieve this mission - strengthening global solidarity and driving systems change led by those most affected by injustice.
Taahra and Hannah, newly appointed Co-CEOs, said: “We recognise the pivotal moment at which we step into these roles and the responsibility entrusted to us. We are inspired by the dedication and passion of everyone across the organisation and the partners we work with. It's an honour to lead this work alongside them.
The world is facing an unprecedented crisis for women’s rights. Two-thirds of the world's population now live under closed or repressive governments, with women's rights groups bearing the brunt of systematic attacks on civil society. Our focus is on exposing the systemic and increasing discrimination experienced by women and girls and building meaningful partnerships with grassroots women’s rights organisations and movements worldwide. Together, we want to ensure that ActionAid UK is a force for meaningful change, hope, and justice around the world.”
Faraz Tasnim, Interim Chair of ActionAid UK said:
“The Board is pleased to appoint Hannah Bond and Taahra Ghazi as permanent Co-CEOs. They bring the experience and vision needed to lead ActionAid UK with integrity, accountability and strong governance, while ensuring our values guide every decision. Together with colleagues, partners and movements worldwide, they will drive meaningful change where it matters most.”
Leadership for the next phase
Hannah Bond brings extensive senior-level global experience in women, peace and security, feminist leadership, and women’s rights in the UK and internationally. She joined ActionAid UK in 2021 and currently serves as Interim Co-CEO alongside her role as Director of Advocacy and Influencing. Hannah is a leading expert in women, peace and security and women’s rights, with deep knowledge and a strong commitment to advancing the rights of women and girls and strengthening feminist movements worldwide. She previously worked within the UK Government and as Director of Gender Action for Peace and Security and has a strong track record of collaboration with feminist movements globally. Hannah lived and worked in Ethiopia for six years, specialising in peacebuilding, gender, human rights, community-based development, humanitarian programming, and partnership.
Taahra Ghazi is an internationally recognised leader in communications and anti-racist storytelling, with deep expertise in international development and human rights. She first joined ActionAid in 2000 and currently serves as Interim Co-CEO and Director of Innovation and Impact. Taahra pioneered ActionAid’s Women by Women project, a globally acclaimed initiative featuring sell-out exhibitions and collaborations with award-winning women photographers that shatter the stereotypes of women worldwide. She began her career as a secondary school teacher in Hackney and brings over 30 years of experience across the education, youth, and development sectors.
Together, Hannah and Taahra will lead ActionAid UK through its next stage of transformation, embedding feminist leadership, anti-racist practice and movement-led change at the heart of the organisation’s work.
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