This week, Dr Kate Newman has taken up the post of INTRAC’s new Chief Executive. Kate was appointed in January 2022, and has now taken over from our interim Chief Executive, Peter Sargent.
Kate has worked in the international development sector for over 25 years. Most recently for Christian Aid, which she joined in 2013 and held a number of senior leadership roles, ultimately as the Head of the Programme Policy, Research and Learning Division. In this role she led Christian Aid’s thinking on decolonisation, and the team provided a range of advisory services, spanning research and learning, strategy and partnership, and programme design across a range of thematic areas. Central to this was to develop thinking on partnership models which enable complementary and supportive roles between global and national civil society actors. Previously, Kate has worked in community development in Mexico, on a participatory adult learning and social change programme hosted by ActionAid, as an academic, and as a consultant.
In January, Yvonne Taylor, Chair of INTRAC’s Board of Trustees said: “The Board are excited to have Kate join us in April 2022. She will bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience that will strengthen the organisation as we continue to develop our role within the changing environment of the civil society sector.”
“I have admired INTRAC for a long time and it is a privilege to join as Chief Executive. Over its 30 years of history, INTRAC has built a wealth of expertise in strengthening civil society. During the last year, much work has been done to clarify the role of INTRAC in a changing development context. As I take up my new role, I am excited to properly understand that process, and to work with colleagues to translate this rich thinking into renewed action. I’m excited to help INTRAC shift our own power and deliver on our mission to strengthen civil society – helping organisations to develop, engage with others, and do what they do better.”
Dr Kate Newman
Kate joins us at a key moment for INTRAC as we continue to mark our 30th anniversary. It is also a time of great change and uncertainty for civil society. With a new Chief Executive, INTRAC will continue to adapt in order to best support civil society organisations in the global South to navigate the challenges and opportunities they face.
On INTRAC’s Senior Management Team (SMT), Kate will be supported by Paul Knipe, who joined us as Director of Consultancy, Impact, and Influence in January 2022. They will be joined in June by a new, permanent Finance Director – until then, the role is held by interim Finance Director Paul Orme. Peter Sargent will remain with INTRAC in the part-time role of Director of Organisational Development until July 2022.
More information about Kate is available on her staff profile.