Christian Aid has appointed former United Nations official Amanda Khozi Mukwashi as its new chief executive.
Born to Zambian parents in the UK, Mukwashi joins the Christian charity after more than 20 years in the field of humanitarian work and has a special interest in women's leadership and volunteering.
Most recently the Chief of Volunteer Knowledge and Innovation for the United Nations Volunteer Programme, she began her career in development working in Lusaka, Zambia, as Women in Business Coordinator at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Mukwashi takes over from Loretta Minghella who left in June after seven years in the post to become first church estates commissioner for the Church of England.
The former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and chair of Christian Aid welcomed her to the role. 'Amanda comes with very special qualifications and aptitude for this enormous and exhilarating position,' he said. 'We are delighted to announce this appointment and look forward to welcoming Amanda.'
The daughter of diplomats, Mukwashi went to school in Italy before going on to study for a law degree at the University of Zambia and a postgraduate degree in International Economic Law at the University of Warwick.
She said: 'I am humbled and absolutely thrilled to be joining such a family as Christian Aid. Christian Aid represents to me much of the goodness found in humanity.'
