WaterAid announces a new Chief Executive

8 March 2005

Barbara Frost has joined as WaterAid's new Chief Executive.

International charity WaterAid has appointed a new Chief Executive, Barbara Frost, who has now taken over from Ravi Narayanan, who retired at the end of 2005. Barbara has been with WaterAid since September when she stepped down from her position as Chief Executive at Action on Disability and Development (ADD).

WaterAid's Chairman, Vic Cocker, said:

"We are delighted to welcome Barbara Frost to WaterAid. Barbara's visionary leadership and extensive experience of international poverty eradication work will ensure that WaterAid can build on the tremendous growth and success it has achieved under Ravi Narayanan's direction and take forward its new five year strategy."

During Barbara's time as CE at ADD their work with disabled people's organisations in Africa and Asia more than doubled. The organisation continued to shift its focus from small-scale projects to working with partners and governments to bring about long-term social change. Prior to ADD, Barbara held senior management positions at ActionAid, Save the Children and Community Aid Abroad (Oxfam Australia). Barbara is also Vice Chair of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO).

Ravi Narayanan said;

"WaterAid's life changing work ensures that millions of people in Africa and Asia no longer have to face the ongoing daily catastrophe of life without access to clean water and sanitation. Our new five year strategy sets out plans to expand WaterAid's impact and help one million people gain access to water and one million gain access to sanitation, every year, by 2010."

Barbara Frost says;

"Water is fundamental to life and a basic right - without clean water and sanitation poverty will not be eradicated. I am inspired by WaterAid's achievements and guiding beliefs and its emphasis on reaching poor people. I look forward to taking on this new role."