Jonathan Freeman has been appointed as the new chair of trustees of Carers Worldwide, the international development charity promoting recognition and support of family carers in low and middle income countries.  He replaces the outgoing founding chair, Chris Underhill MBE who has been with the charity since its inception in 2012.

Freeman is CEO of the CareTech Charitable Foundation, a position he has held since its establishment in 2017.   The CareTech Foundation supports and champions the social care sector, care workers and those living in care.  Jonathan is also Vice Chair of the cross-sector Championing Social Care initiative

Speaking on his appointment, Freeman said: “Carers Worldwide is an amazing charity with a hugely important mission. I am humbled to have been given the opportunity to support the next phase of their ambitious journey to ensure that unpaid carers in the Global South and beyond are recognised, supported and respected properly.”

Freeman joins the Board at a time of expansion, with four new trustees appointed: Dionne Williams, Ian Yates, Maria Andrews and Maveen Pereira. Working together with existing trustees, they will drive forward the organisation’s 10 year vision “to create a world where no carer is left behind”.

Founder and Executive Director of Carers Worldwide, Anil Patil said: “Our most diverse Board yet, the trustees bring a rich mix of skills and expertise which will assist us in placing carers even more firmly on the agendas of governments, NGOs and corporates across the Global South.

“The skills needed to strengthen all areas of the organisation, including our new training and consultancy offer will be very present. In addition, the lived personal and professional experiences of caring that many of our Trustees bring to the Board will continue to ensure an authentic understanding of carers and their lives will stay at the heart of all we do.”

Freeman was previously managing director of Mosaic, HRH The Prince of Wales’ mentoring initiative, and before that a member of the Senior Civil Service.  He has experience working in the public, private and charitable sectors over almost 30 years and skills in strategic development, change management, governance and people management, along with both personal and professional knowledge of care and caring.