Stephanie Draper has announced she will be stepping down as chief executive of international development network Bond this autumn.

She says she aims to use her “strengths in a different way to contribute to the systems change needed to get to a just and sustainable future”.

During her four years at Bond she lead the organisation through some of the biggest developments for international development in recent years, including cuts to the UK aid budget, the merger of the Department for International Development into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the pandemic’s impact globally.

“I have loved my time at Bond and working with such a talented and diverse group of members,” added Draper.

“I care passionately about our purpose and mission, the exciting and important work that we are doing and our direction of travel that I believe to be the right one. I will be sad to leave but know the time is right.

Bond is to begin the process of replacing her in the coming weeks.

I have some big news! I have made the difficult decision to leave Bond. I am so proud of what we have achieved together in the last four years. I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with the most amazing group of members, staff & stakeholders. https://t.co/TECLA3mh3H

— Stephanie Draper (@SDStephDraper) June 29, 2023

The NGO network’s chair Kate Sayer added: “The board is hugely grateful to Stephanie for the contribution she has made to furthering our mission as a charity and ensuring that we have an engaged membership. We wish her all the best in her next challenge.”

Prior to joining Bond she worked at environmental sustainability charity Forum for the Future, including senior roles focused on system change and Asia. She is also a former head of corporate social responsibility at The Work Foundation.

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