Tearfund, the Christian international development charity, has appointed Silas Balraj as its new Chief Executive.
Silas brings a wealth of experience to Tearfund, having held a number of senior positions at the Christian charity Compassion International over the past two decades. Roles have included Country Director for India, Vice President for Asia and, most recently, Senior Principal in Compassion’s global programme function, based in the US. In this role he oversaw a project to bring together philanthropy, marketing and programme teams to work more effectively and achieve greater impact.
Before joining Compassion International, Silas spent eight years in India’s information technology sector, where he led organisations from startup to profitability while establishing HR and Operations functions.
Silas said: “I am honoured to join Tearfund at such a pivotal time. Around the world, millions still face the harsh realities of extreme poverty and injustice and I’m deeply inspired by Tearfund’s commitment to working through the local church to bring lasting change. I’m passionate about the role of the church to transform communities facing crisis, and I look forward to being part of that mission.”
Anna Laszlo, Chair of Trustees at Tearfund, said: “Silas brings a wealth of leadership, experience and vision to Tearfund. His deep commitment to seeing the church act as a catalyst for community transformation will be foundational as we continue to respond to the growing and complex challenges of extreme poverty. He is a visionary leader and we are incredibly excited about everything Silas will bring to the role.”
Silas will lead an organisation that last year worked with 2.9 million people directly, with a further 6.1 million estimated to be impacted through its church and community transformation work.
The new CEO will start work in September and Tim Pilkington, Tearfund’s Chief Operating Officer, will be interim Chief Executive until Silas is in post.
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Notes to editors:
Tearfund is a Christian charity that partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. We tackle poverty through sustainable development, responding to disasters and challenging injustice. We believe an end to extreme poverty is possible. Tearfund is also a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee. For more information about the work of Tearfund, please visit www.tearfund.org.
