DEC announces Hannah Richards as new Director of Communications
The Disasters Emergency Committee has appointed Hannah Richards as its new Director of Communications. In this role, Hannah will lead the DEC’s communications team covering media, PR, content, digital and the DEC’s presence in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. She will lead on the DEC’s key relationships with national broadcasters, including overseeing the delivery of the appeals across the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky and commercial radio, as well as implementing key parts of the DEC’s strategy. She will bring together communications leaders from across the DEC’s 15 member charities to deliver appeals and promote learning and best practice.
Hannah has spent her career working in content, media and communications at a range of international charities. Since 2017 she has been Head of Communications at CARE International UK, including a stint as Interim Director of Fundraising, Partnerships and Communications. Her other roles include Raleigh International, Christian Aid and Amnesty International.
Hannah joined the DEC earlier than planned to work on the Afghanistan Crisis Appeal, which has so far raised £28 million less than a month since its launch. She takes over from Barney Guiton who served as interim director since August 2021 when Nicola Peckett joined Freedom Fund after almost five years at the DEC.
DEC Chief Executive Saleh Saeed said: “I’m delighted to welcome Hannah to the DEC in this important role. Hannah brings excellent experience and knowledge of the DEC’s membership combined with drive and enthusiasm. Having launched the Afghanistan Crisis Appeal in her first week, she has already shown great instincts and adaptability and all of us at the DEC look forward to working with her.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Nicola Peckett for her tireless work at the DEC covering six appeals that raised over £250 million. She oversaw the transformation of the DEC’s communications function, always maintaining excellent standards and a high level of commitment. I’d also like to thank Barney Guiton who covered the interim role superbly whilst juggling his own work.”
Hannah Richards said: “It’s an absolute privilege to join the DEC as Director of Communications. The DEC plays a vital and unique role drawing on the extraordinary generosity of the British public to save lives and support the UK’s biggest humanitarian charities, working together, during the world’s worst crises.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
For media enquiries, please contact Barney Guiton on bguiton@dec.org.uk or 07530 871 386.
About the DEC: When large-scale disasters hit countries without the capacity to respond, the DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently. In these times of crisis, people in life-and-death situations need our help and our mission is to save, protect and rebuild lives through effective humanitarian response.
The DEC’s 15 member charities are: Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, International Rescue Committee UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB, Plan International UK, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK.
