Governance
The Haller Foundation was awarded charitable status in February 2004 and is subject to the provisions of the Charities Act, and regulated by The Charities Commission. We are also incorporated as a registered limited company and comply with the regulations required of companies by the Companies Act 1985.
The Haller Foundation's Governing Body consists of a Patron, a Chair, and six other trustees, who meet four times a year. The trustees generally sit for a three year period after which they are subject to re-election. The trustees and the director of the foundation all act in a voluntary capacity, overseeing the policies and operations of the foundation, and ensuring that projects are monitored effectively.
The Board
Charles Middleton - Chair
Charles Middleton was appointed Chair of the Haller Foundation on 1st February 2006. Charles has been the Managing Director of Triodos Bank in the UK since March 2003. The Triodos Group is Europe’s leading ethical bank, financing companies, institutions and projects that benefit people and the environment. Previously he worked in general management roles with Barclays in Africa, India and the Caribbean, instilling a strong interest in cross cultural issues and the opportunities to develop positive interaction between developed and developing environments.
Click here for a link to the write up from The Times - Saturday 26 April 2008, entitled Triodos Bank making a difference with ethical banking.
Louise Piper - Director and Trustee
A former investment banker, Louise grew up in Africa, where her father worked for 35 years. After graduating with a law degree from Cambridge, Louise spent nearly 20 years working in the financial markets in London, New York and the Far East for JP Morgan. As a former colleague of Guido Haller (see below) she visited Kenya to see the work of Dr Haller. Inspired by the potential of his work as a blue print for rehabilitation acros Sub-Saharan Africa set up The Haller Foundation, to raise funds to promote his principles and support his ideas. She is also a board member of The Baobab Trust, a Kenyan registered non-profit organisation, run by Dr. Haller, which is the main vehicle for many of his enterprises. Louise manages The Haller Foundation in a voluntary capacity from her home in Tunbridge Wells.
Julia Hailes MBE - Trustee and Co-Founder
Julia Hailes MBE, Co-founder and Trustee - Julia is one of the UK's leading sustainability consultants and author of nine books, including the million selling Green Consumer Guide. She started working in the environmental sector in 1986 and co-founded SustainAbility Ltd, with John Elkington, in 1987. Julia met Dr. Haller as a fellow UN Global 500 laureate and was hugely inspired by his work and vision. She'd like to replicate his approach - the Haller way - not only in developing countries and situations but with large corporates too. For more information look at www.juliahailes.com.
Rene Haller - Trustee
A pioneering naturalist, trained in horticulture, landscaping and tropical agronomy, Rene has lived and worked in Africa for over forty five years. He is internationally renowned for his work in the restoration of degraded landscapes and is a United Nations Environment Programme Global 500 winner for his outstanding environmental achievements. He received a doctorate from the University of Basle in 1990. Although now retired he is the Director of The Baobab Trust, a Kenyan registered NGO and acts as an advisor to many boards, including the role of interim Chair of the Kenyan Wildlife Service Board of Trustees.
Guido Haller - Trustee
Guido is Rene's eldest son. Born in Kenya, he has supported his father’s activities from an early age. He has a Master's degree in Zoological sciences from Stirling University. Embarking on a career in Finance he has worked in Investment banking in Switzerland, London and the Far East. He is an active intellectual and financial supporter of Dr Haller’s work.
Jonathan Ford - Trustee
Jonathan is both designer and co-founding partner of Pearlfisher, a leading international design consultancy that creates future focussed desire for brands. Based in London and with a studio in New York, Pearlfisher's award-winning designs includes an enviable list of ethical entrpreneurial and iconic brands such as Innocent Smoothies, Green & Black's, Waitrose, Nude Skincare, Little Disk, Absolut Vodka, Woolworths South Africa, and Fortnum & Mason. Pearlfisher also acts as a design consultant to both WRAP and Envirowise, rasing awareness of the impact of waste resources and the commerical benefits of environmentally sound business practice. In his not so spare time he has helped REACH, a childhood leukaemia appeal, raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital, designs the odd garden, is writing a book for people with a desk job and a dream and lives his former glorious rugby playing days through his children.
Mike Kirkham- Trustee
Mike has recently become a Trusteee and brings extensive experience in marketing and fundraising in both business and charitable organisations within the UK and Ireland. He played a pivotal role in coordinating the marketing and fundraising for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and forging links with business. In addition, he was responsible for the successful re-branding of DFS Furniture. He is actively interested in the environment and keen to further the work of the Haller Foundation.
Kate Woodthorpe - Trustee
Kate Woodthorpe was educated at the Godolphin School in Salisbury. She spent most of her career working for Chase Manhattan Bank and Bank of America in the cash management business, both as a Regional Sales Manager in Asia and Head of Product Management for Europe, responsible for all European services and products offered to corporate and institutional clients worldwide. Her last role was Head of Strategy for Europe, Asia and Latin America for bank of America's cash management business. During her career, she has lived in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore. Kate left Bank of America in 2000 to spend more time with her family.
John Elkington - Patron
One of the leading figures in the environmental and sustainability movement John has devoted his working life to bridging the gulf between environmentalism and business. Whilst chairing The Environmental Foundation John was successful in getting Sustainable Development accepted as a charitable objective by the Charity Commissioners. In the last three decades he has sat on over 30 boards, advisory boards, councils and committees, most of which is done pro bono. En route John has written over 16 books which include the best selling Green Consumer guide and The Green Capitalists. in 1987 he co-founded SustainAbility, a leading edge consultancy where he is now Chairman. SustainAbility advises companies such as Shell, Ford, Unilever and many other FTSE 100 companies on aligning business strategy with social, economic and environmental accountability. He also sits on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index board, which tracks the financial performance of the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide.
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