Governance

Ed has leadership experience in business, where he has held several directorships, and in leisure activities. Spanning the commercial and voluntary sectors, he brings a diverse skillset and range of contacts to Concordis. As Chief Executive of Resolex, which specialises in dispute resolution and risk reduction, he demonstrates an affinity to Concordis’ goals. Ed became Chair of Trustees in 2013.

Henry joined the Concordis Board in 2016 and is now the Chair of the Finance Committee. He is a qualified accountant and Insead alumni. He worked in corporate finance and then private equity investment with entrepreneurial businesses. After this, he has been Finance Director and Trustee for a number of charities and creative businesses, including a computer games business. He has lived and worked in Nepal, India, China and Malawi.

Thijs Alexander joined the board of trustees in 2020. Thijs is a Dutch and US lawyer and worked for 30 years in a transactional and regulatory practice in New York, Brussels, Amsterdam and London. Between 2000-19 he was a partner with Clifford Chance in London and Amsterdam, where he also led some of the firm’s key pro bono relationships.

Sam joined the board in 2021. He has a background working in conflict through a career in the British Army and at the charity War Child UK. In his current role he supports delivery of a large portfolio of conflict focussed programmes and provides senior leadership on specific programmes related to fragility and violent conflict and international security.

David joined the Board in 2021. He worked for the Bank of England for over 20 years and has since worked in senior HR positions in a number of Charities and other NFP organisations, most recently for the British Red Cross. His background and interests include organisational development and providing individual career and personal development coaching.

A chartered accountant, Jeremy’s background is in manufacturing, international trade and agriculture. He was an MP from 2010 -19. He served on the International Development Committee, the Joint Human Rights Committee and Exiting the EU Committee. He chaired the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and IMF for 6 years . He was Trade Envoy to Ethiopia from 2017-19.

Frances brings her global strategic analytical, policy, risk and operational experience, derived from working in Defence and the Cabinet Office. With experience of corporate governance, underpinned by her wider planning, management and leadership skills, Frances plans to help Concordis manage and sustain its growth. As an Honorary Professor at Exeter University, there are synergies to be levied for Concordis’ benefit. Above all, she is enthused by the mission and philosophy of Concordis enshrined in its people-centric/community approach towards conflict resolution and its growing gender-focused agenda. Frances has been a Trustee at Concordis since November 2021.

Chris West is a multi-award winning marketing copywriter and counsel to the CEO and Chief Marketing Officer of some of the world's most interesting companies, spanning Alphabet's 'moonshot factory', fast growth businesses in biotech, data science and fintech, to start-ups. He is a guest lecturer at business schools in the US and Europe on the subject of creating impactful language. He lives in Oxford with his wife and a handful of cats.

Katie joined the board in 2023. She is a digital fundraising strategist at the British Red Cross. She has over a decade of experience in direct marketing and supporter engagement within the International Development sector, and has a passion for using storytelling and data-driven marketing to inspire change.

Joanna joined the board in 2023 and is a manager for a professional services firm with over 15 years’ experience of financial management. In her current role she leads a governance framework. Joanna obtained affiliated membership with The Chartered Governance Institute in 2021. Joanna has experience of working in an international setting and is committed to contributing to sustainable peace across Africa.

Fern joined Concordis in June 2023, she is an executive level project manager with extensive experience in delivering major and mega infrastructure programmes. She is passionate about championing inclusivity and is honoured to be able to work with Concordis.

Peter joined the board in 2019. His background is as a solicitor practising in the sphere of commercial dispute resolution, having worked both in-house and latterly as proprietor of his own practice. Originally accredited as a mediator in 2004, he has widespread experience in the resolution of disputes by constructive dialogue. He is passionate in his belief in the power of facilitative dialogue in the resolution of conflict in difficult and seemingly intractable situations in all spheres of human activity.