Michael Jermey Appointed as New Chair of the Disasters Emergency Committee, Effective March 2025

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Jermey as the new Chair of its Board of Trustees. Michael will succeed Sue Inglish when she completes her term as Chair in March 2025. Michael will step down from his current role as Director of News and Current Affairs at ITV at the end of 2024.

With a career spanning nearly four decades, Michael has led ITV’s news and current affairs division for the past 16 years creating independent and impartial journalism that reaches tens of millions of viewers across the UK. During his tenure, he expanded ITV’s award-winning national television news output and introduced innovative news services on a number of digital platforms. Michael modernised the network’s regional news services including opening new state-of-the-art news centres across the UK. He broadened the range of ITV’s current affairs programming with the launch of several long running, returning series including Peston, The Martin Lewis Money Show, On Assignment and the internationally recognised investigative documentary strand, Exposure. His leadership has shaped ITV's role in public service journalism, including the broadcast of party leaders’ debates at every General Election since 2010.

In his current role, Michael has also worked closely with the DEC, supporting the broadcast of DEC appeal films on ITV and other commercial broadcasters during emergency appeal launches. His commitment to humanitarian causes, his experience in communicating on complex issues and his collaborative leadership style make him ideally suited to lead the DEC’s Board as we continue to respond to disasters and crises around the world.

Michael Jermey commented on his appointment:

“I am deeply honoured to be appointed Chair of the Disasters Emergency Committee. The DEC’s work is critical in mobilising the British public to support communities affected by some of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Having worked alongside the DEC through ITV’s appeals, I have seen first-hand the incredible impact of its work. As I prepare to leave ITV, I am excited to bring my experience to this new role and help further the DEC’s mission.”

Thanks to Sue Inglish for Six Years of Outstanding Leadership

Michael Jermey will succeed Sue Inglish, who will step down as Chair of the DEC in March 2025 after six years of exemplary service. During her tenure, Sue has overseen the launch of six DEC appeals, raising over £800 million. This included responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria and the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, where the DEC response has helped over 8.8 million people so far.

Under Sue’s leadership, the DEC has raised unprecedented levels of funding to support those affected by disaster, strengthened partnerships with member charities, and enhanced its role as a trusted and transparent organisation at the forefront of humanitarian response. Her dedication, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to the DEC’s mission have been instrumental in its success.

Saleh Saeed, Chief Executive of the DEC, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to Sue Inglish for her outstanding leadership as Chair of the DEC over the past six years. Her wisdom, compassion, and dedication have guided the DEC through some of the most challenging global crises in recent history. On behalf of the Board, member charities, and staff, I want to thank Sue for her exceptional service and look forward to building on her legacy with Michael Jermey as our new Chair.

As we prepare for this transition, the DEC remains committed to its mission of providing life-saving aid to those in need, and we look forward to working with Michael Jermey to continue this vital work.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For media inquiries, please contact: sgard@dec.org.uk / 07930999014

A headshot of Michael is available here. 

About the DEC: The DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities at times of crisis overseas 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.        

For more information visit www.dec.org.uk;