Executive leadership group

Cherian Mathews is Chief Executive of HelpAge International, leading the organisation’s global work to promote the wellbeing, dignity and rights of older people.

Cherian has more than 30 years of international development experience in leading and managing humanitarian, long-term development and campaign work at country, regional and global levels.

Previously, he worked with Oxfam GB as International Programme Director and before that as Asia Regional Director, where he led major humanitarian responses in the Philippines and Nepal and led regional campaigns on economic justice and inequality.

Before joining Oxfam in 2003, Cherian worked with Action Aid. Prior to that he worked with local and national level organisations on the rights of indigenous and other marginalised communities in India.

James is a highly experienced fundraiser with 25 years in the social and international development sectors. Previously with Save the Children in the UK and Africa, he is an expert in international donor markets and partnerships. As Interim Director of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships, James leads our approach to building strong partnerships with donors and diversifying our income sources.

Susanna leads HelpAge’s global communications outreach, overseeing media relations, digital strategy and internal communications.

She has more than 20 years’ experience in the media and NGO sectors. Susanna previously held senior communications positions at Amnesty International, where she led the global media team, and at CNN International. She has also worked at the BBC World Service and the British Council.

Gbenga has a private sector background, having trained with PricewaterhouseCoopers.

He previously worked with Air France before joining Oxfam GB in 2002 and has since remained in the non-profit sector. Gbenga was a Finance Director at Saferworld’s (2018 – 2022) where he led the global finance team in overseeing operations in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

A fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, he received his Ph.D. in accounting from King’s College London in 2012, focusing on accountability in the non-governmental sector.

Rhea brings more than 20 years of strategic and operational management experience in humanitarian and development programmes across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

She is deeply committed to advancing the leadership, voice and agency of communities and local organisations within the aid sector. Over the years, she has been involved in capacity strengthening and change management as a consultant, trainer, and a coach in a variety of humanitarian contexts.

Rhea’s thematic areas of expertise includes health and protection programming – with a special focus on ageing and disability inclusion in humanitarian policy and practice. She is a qualified change management professional and has an MBA and a Diploma in Development studies.

Rhea also serves as a trustee on the boards of ELRHA and DePaul International and is a member of the Start Network membership committee.