Tuesday, 26th March 2019

ECPAT UK, a leading children's rights organisation working to protect children from trafficking and transnational exploitation, has named Katherine Mulhern as its new Chief Executive Officer. Katherine, who has been Chair of ECPAT UK’s board of trustees for the last two years, has stepped down as Chair and is replaced as Chair by current trustee Ian Hanham.

Katherine brings a wealth of experience to the organisation, having been a partner in a major international law firm, the Executive Director of a large development-focused non-governmental organisation and the Executive Director of a human rights organisation based in West Africa.

Katherine will take the helm as ECPAT UK celebrates its 25^th anniversary. ECPAT UK is embarking on a new strategy, further honing its work with trafficked children while growing its international presence. Katherine will use her vast experience to help implement that strategy in a fast-changing and increasingly fluid international environment.

Chair of the board, Ian Hanham, said

"We are excited to have Katherine's leadership at this pivotal time. Her skills and experience as a leader fit well with ECPAT UK's mission."

Prior to joining ECPAT UK, Katherine was the Executive Director of the International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP), a large New York-based non-governmental organisation that provides pro bono legal advice and support to emerging democratic governments and civil society organisations with a focus on the promotion of transparency and accountable development.

Prior to this, Katherine was the Executive Director of the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa, a pan-African human rights organisation based in West Africa which provides advice and support to civil society organisations across the continent.  Katherine was in private practice as a partner, advising governments and civil society organisations on issues relating to governance and transparency, and working with refugees in Africa, the U.S. and the UK.

New CEO, Katherine Mulhern, said

“Heading an organisation such as ECPAT UK at such a pivotal time is an extremely important responsibility. ECPAT UK is a wonderful, dynamic organisation and an extremely important actor in the sector.

“My job will be to strengthen ECPAT UK’s relationships with its partners internationally, help to diversify and strengthen its funding base and drive its strategy.

“I look forward to working with the team at a time of change, both in the organisation and in the UK.”

ENDS

Notes
Every Child Protected Against Trafficking (ECPAT UK) is a leading children's rights organisation working to protect children from trafficking and transnational exploitation. We support children everywhere to uphold their rights and to live a life free from abuse and exploitation. 

Press contact
Sinead Geoghegan, Communications and Media Manager, 020 7607 2136, [email protected]