Amnesty International UK Section

Ciarnan Helferty (Chair)
An Amnesty member since 2001, a member of the Foyle Local Group and significant contributer to Amnesty's Youth and Student movement. Ciarnan has Chaired the Queen's University Belfast Student Group and the STAN. He represented the Section at the 2007 ICM and is committed to empowering younger Amnesty members to campaign for change. Read Ciarnan's manifesto (pdf)

Sarah O'Grady (Vice-Chair)
An Amnesty member for nearly 20 years, Sarah is a solicitor with a wide range of skills and experience acquired in private practice and the public sector, with a keen interest in environmental matters. A member of the Active Members Sub-Committee since 2008.Read Sarah's manifesto (pdf)

Cris Burson-Thomas (Acting Treasurer)
Cris has been a member of Amnesty for nearly 20 years -  he joined as a student at Leeds University, where he studied Economics. He started his career in consumer market research before moving into marketing when working at Boots. He has lived and worked in several countries including US, Switzerland, France and Sweden, and is currently Global Head of Marketing for the Cough and Cold category at Novartis Consumer Health.

Brian Gilda
An Amnesty Member for almost 20 years, Brian is also a Director/Trustee of a charitable organisation under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Glasgow.  The Foundation supports 1,500 service users in projects as diverse as asylum seekers, people affected by substance misuse, young people affected by homelessness and many more.  Founder of a successful Retail Business with circa 400 employees, two of his five Directors are female and both are recognised as being integral to the overall direction of the Company.

Harrison Littler
Harrison has been an active member of various Amnesty groups over the last seven years (currently the Kilburn Group) He has governance and campaigning experience, having served as a Trustee of the University of Exeter Guild of Students and Non-Executive Officer for the Environment and Human Rights at the same organisation. He chaired the Exeter University Amnesty Group for two years and has chaired the STAN Committee. He is dedicated to educating and inspiring young people to take action. He is currently Head of Economics at a school in West London. Read Harrison's manifesto (pdf)

Hugh Whitby
Hugh joined Amnesty in Hong Kong (2003), serving on the board there and attending the 2007 ICM. As London Regional Representative (2008-11) he re-started Amnesty's first ever group in Hampstead which he chaired. A member of the International Issues subcommittee since 2008, Hugh has also been editing a member's newsletter on international issues since 2010. A language and cultural communications trainer in Asia and the UK for 15 years, Hugh is committed to developing greater and more effective communication within Amnesty UK's membership. Now based at Newcastle University, Hugh was elected to the board in 2012. 
Read Hugh's manifesto (pdf)

Katie Boothby 
Katie is full of energy and ideas on creative ways to explore change. Her experience is primarily with young people, campaigning around issues of gender, immigration and student activism. Previously a member of the Student Action Network Committee, Active Members Sub-Committee and she was elected to the Board in 2009. Read Katie's manifesto (pdf)

Rona Keen 
Rona Keen joined Amnesty over 20 years ago and has been a Country Coordinator for West and Central Africa since 1995. Rona is also an experienced  School Speaker and has been a member of the International Issues Sub-Committee for the last five years.Read Rona's manifesto (pdf)

Tom Hedley
Tom worked for over 30 years in the Inland Revenue and served over 15 years on the National Executive of its Union. This experience has made me proficient in the areas of management, negotiation, arbitration, supervision and finance. Read Tom's manifesto(pdf)

Ruth Breddal
An Amnesty member for 26 years, and local group Chair for 15, Ruth works as a Company Secretary and Director of a private company with a background of volunteering in the health sector. For example, as Chair of the Changing Childbirth Implementation Committee she helped to organise major reform of her local maternity service. 

Louise Ewington
As a qualified solicitor, Louise is passionate about pursuing justice through advocacy, promoting good governance and establishing robust compliance structures. Having grown up in Papua New Guinea, and lived in several other countries since, she has seen first hand the devastating impact of human rights and believes that working towards the goal of universal human rights in a culturally relevant and sensitive way should underpin the work of Amnesty International UK. She currently works as a Consultant both within the UK and Internationally providing financial and strategic planning, and business development advice to third sector organisations. Go to Louise's Facebook page

Sarah Ward

Global Head of HR and Communication for Thomson Reuters, Sarah is responsible for the strategic leadership, vision and execution of the people plan for the business in over 31 countries.  

Away from work, Sarah coaches a number of business leaders in the not for profit sector and she feels passionately connected to the work of Amnesty International

If you require Board minutes or meeting papers that aren't listed below, they can be requested from our Support Care Team on 020 7033 1777 or via sct@amnesty.org.uk

The resolutions for this year's International Council Meeting are only available to members of Amnesty International UK. To request your copy, please contact the Supporter Care Team.