ActionAid UK is proud to announce the appointment of Joy Warmington as the new Chair of its Board of Trustees. Joy’s appointment, with her term beginning in 2026, marks a significant milestone as ActionAid UK enters a new phase of strategic transformation, building on its commitment to feminist and anti-racist leadership. With a focus on shifting power and driving lasting change, Joy’s leadership will help strengthen the organisation’s governance and guide its journey towards a more just, equitable and decolonised future.
Joy, new Chair of ActionAid UK, said:
“It’s a privilege to step into this role now, at a time when global inequality, conflict and climate pressures are hitting the most marginalised the hardest. I’m grateful for the chance to work with the team to sharpen our feminist and anti-racist leadership. ActionAid is a worldwide force for good, that at its heart says every woman and girl should have the power to create their own future. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of that.”
Faraz Tasnim, Interim Chair and Vice Chair of ActionAid UK, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome Joy, whose transformative leadership and steadfast commitment to justice will further strengthen our partnerships with women’s rights organisations, activists, and social movements.
Joy’s appointment reflects ActionAid UK’s ongoing commitment to feminist, inclusive leadership that shifts power and drives meaningful, lasting change. She will work closely with the executive team to ensure our feminist leadership principles, accountability, and commitment to justice are deeply embedded across all aspects of our work.”
About Joy Warmington
As the new Chair of ActionAid UK, Joy brings her lifelong commitment to equity and human rights to the global stage. Her appointment signals a powerful alignment of values - a leader whose personal journey and professional legacy embody ActionAid’s mission to achieve social change and gender justice and address the structural causes of poverty and injustice.
Born in Birmingham to Caribbean and Indian parents, Joy’s early years in the city, where she was one of only a handful of Black children in her school and far-right activity was common, shaped her understanding of inequality and belonging. Joy began her career as a volunteer and youth worker before taking on senior roles in education, local government and the voluntary sector. As a teacher and leader in further education, she developed access programmes that opened up opportunities for marginalised communities across Birmingham and built meaningful international partnerships, including in South Africa.
For more than 20 years, Joy has led brap, transforming a small local charity into one of the UK’s most uncompromising voices for racial justice and equity. Under her leadership, brap has challenged conventional thinking on equality, delivered radical research, driven deep organisational transformation and provided fearless support to communities demanding real change. She begins her term in May, 2026.
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