Justin Byworth to stand down as World Vision UK Chief Executive

Justin Byworth, chief executive of World Vision UK, is to step down from his post at the end of this year, after five years at the helm and 26 years with the organisation.

World Vision is the world’s largest children’s charity, working to bring real hope to millions of children in the world’s hardest places 

Byworth joined the organisation as a graduate trainee in 1988, and has worked across many countries and regions of the world, including Mauritania and Cambodia where he led World Vision programmes for much of the 1990s.

Announcing his decision, Byworth said, “World Vision has an extraordinary impact on the lives of millions of the world’s most vulnerable children. It has been a privilege to lead the organisation through a time when our impact, influence and income have grown and deepened.

“After many incredible and life-changing years, I am looking forward to a time of rest and renewal, before deciding what lies ahead for me, whether within World Vision or elsewhere.”

Mark Sheard, chair of the board of World Vision UK, paid tribute to Byworth’s leadership. “Under his leadership, we have seen World Vision make great progress, including income growth, enhanced influence in many of the places where the well-being of the world’s poorest children is decided and a strengthened ability to evidence the real change for children that World vision has been able to effect.”  During Byworth’s tenure, World Vision UK has grown its income from £58m to over £70m and has impacted the lives of more than six million children. 

A search has begun for a new chief executive for World Vision UK. Meanwhile, Tim Pilkington, currently World Vision UK’s Finance and Risk Director, will take the position of acting chief executive from January 1, 2015.

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