Since it was formed over 60 years ago, the DEC has raised more than £2.5 billion to help people in times of crisis. By bringing together 15 of the UK’s leading aid agencies with the Rapid Response Network of national media and corporate partners at times of large-scale disaster overseas, the DEC can reach more people and make it easier for them to help people in countries without the capacity to respond.
The DEC continues to enjoy extraordinary levels of public support, and has maintained a highly trusted brand and strong organisational capabilities which allow it to deliver its mandate with excellence. At a time when humanitarian crises are increasing in number and complexity, the work of the DEC has never been more vital.
We are currently seeking two Independent Trustees to join our exceptional Board from Spring/Summer 2027. These roles present an opportunity to provide strategic guidance, challenge, and support to expert colleagues as they carry out critical work. We are particularly keen to hear from individuals with skills across the following areas: news media, public broadcasters, communications, digital technologies, fundraising, and public engagement.
Incoming Trustees will, above all, share in our determination to achieve our mission: to raise funds together to save, protect and rebuild the lives of the people that are impacted by major disasters overseas.
Perrett Laver will conduct an executive search process in parallel with the public advertisement of the roles. The Selection Panel will meet to decide upon a shortlist for the posts in early November, following which, formal interviews with the DEC will take place in January 2027. If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the selection process, please advise us of these so that we can make appropriate arrangements.
Further information, including a detailed role description and person specification, and information on how to apply can be downloaded at https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies, quoting reference 8483.
To confidentially get in touch about this role, or for advice on your application please email Fiona Dattan on Fiona.Dattan@perrettlaver.com.
The deadline for submission of applications is 11:59pm on 18 October 2026.
Accessibility
Should you require access to these documents in alternative formats, please contact Bharti Aggarwal via bharti.aggarwal@perrettlaver.com.
If you have comments that would support us to improve access to documentation, or our application processes more generally, please do not hesitate to contact us via accessibility@perrettlaver.com.
Inclusion
Perrett Laver believes that excellence will be achieved through recognising the value of every individual. A broad range of perspectives, backgrounds and opinions amongst our global community of colleagues is crucial in maintaining our culture of openness, intellectual curiosity, and creativity. We take an active role in supporting under-represented communities and groups in becoming better and more fairly represented in the leadership of all organisations. We also know that diverse and inclusive teams have a positive impact on our ability to identify, engage and secure candidates from these groups.
Our commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, identity, and experience drives us every day – for clients, for candidate identification and in the recruitment, development and retention of colleagues.
To ensure inclusion on the basis of age, disability, ethnic or national origin, family circumstance, gender, gender identity, marital status, nationality, political or religious beliefs, race, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, we would like to specifically invite applications from under-represented groups.
Data Protection and Privacy
Protecting your personal data is of the utmost importance to Perrett Laver and we take this responsibility very seriously. Any information obtained by our trading divisions is held and processed in accordance with the relevant data protection legislation. The data you provide us with is securely stored on our computerised database and transferred to our clients for the purposes of presenting you as a candidate and/or considering your suitability for a role you have registered interest in.
As defined under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Perrett Laver is a Data Controller and a Data Processor, and our legal basis for processing your personal data is ‘Legitimate Interests’. You have the right to object to us processing your data in this way. For more information about this, your rights, and our approach to Data Protection and Privacy, please visit our website http://www.perrettlaver.com/information/privacy/.
