Our trustees

The role of the International Board is to govern the work of VSO in fulfilment of its statement of purpose and values and to safeguard its resources. The membership of the Board reflects the international structure of VSO with the inclusion of representatives members from VSO federation members in Canada (VSOC), Kenya (VSO Jitolee), the Netherlands (VSON), and the Philippines (VSO Bahaginan).

To this end the Board is involved in the following areas of decision making in VSO:

  • constitutional and legal
  • defining and achieving objectives
  • resources management

Board Meetings

The International Board normally meets up to five times a year, in the UK or via telephone conference.

From time to time, the International Board sets up ad hoc working parties supported by the relevant staff member, to look more closely at issues of particular concern and to report back with recommendations to the full Board.

Trustees are elected on to the Board and serve a tenure of 3 years before standing for re-election. A list of current Trustees and their occupation can be found at the end of this page.

Trustees are encouraged to take an interest in VSO beyond the Board meetings and are welcome to attend training courses, conferences and recruitment events to consult with any staff member on issues of concern or to request copies of any reports produced within the organisation. Members wishing to follow up any particular area do so through the Group Director or the Chief Executive.

Board Members

Hilary Armstrong MP
Member of Parliament for North West Durham, retired minister, VSO returned volunteer
Mark Astarita
Director of Fundraising British Red Cross
Sir Suma Chakrabarti
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice
Kibaya Laibuta
Chair VSO Jitolee (Kenya), Lawyer
Dr Grace Aguiling Dalisay
Vice-president for Academic Affairs, Miriam College, Quezon City, Philippines (Representative of VSO Bahaginan Board, Philippines)
Stewart Butterfield
Consultant (communications, media)
Dr Andrew Cubie
Consultant (finance)
David Dinkin
Consultant (strategic planning, business, management)
Arvinda Gohil
The National Housing Federation
James Lawrie (Treasurer)
The Treasurer, Christ Church, Oxford
Superna Khosla
Senior manager, Audit & Business Advisory Service, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Jean Penders
Chair to Board of Trustees VSO Netherlands Consultant
Cameron Charlebois
General Manager, Viger DMC International Inc.