06/09/10
By Andrew Holt
Steve Andrews, former director and chairman of charity marketing agency Whitewater, has been appointed as the new CEO of international development and climate change charity SolarAid.
He will be take up the post from September 27 2010.
Prior to his appointment, Andrews was involved in SolarAid since the charity was founded in 2006, including assisting with strategy and marketing consultancy and helping to raise the profile of the charity.
He comes with experience in senior management, leadership and entrepreneurship.
On his appointment, Andrews said: “I adored SolarAid from the moment I was introduced to the organisation four years ago. I'm passionate about the cause and the SolarAid solution. I feel immensely humbled and privileged to have been chosen as the new CEO. I inherit an organisation which Nick Sireau leaves in great shape”.
The outgoing and founding CEO, Nick Sireau, set up SolarAid in 2006 with £35,000 and volunteer support from Solarcentury.
Since then, SolarAid has raised £7m and grown into an award-winning social enterprise with 35 people in six countries working on ground-breaking new solar projects for development.
“I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at SolarAid” Sireau said. “Seeing it grow from a small NGO based in my spare bedroom to an international organisation has been a real adventure. We're delighted that Steve has accepted to take on this role and guide SolarAid through its next stage of growth.”
Sireau is standing down in order to devote himself to finding a cure for a rare genetic disease, Alkaptonuria, which was the first genetic disease ever discovered and which affects his two children.
Andrews will continue to have an input at SolarAid on a part-time basis, providing support with fundraising and development.
However, the majority of his time will be spent building an international medical research consortium to find a cure for Alkaptonuria.
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