Maurice Wren has been appointed Chief Executive at the Refugee Council with effect from 11 March 2013. He joins the Refugee Council, the leading charity working with refugees in the UK, with a wealth of experience in the refugee and asylum sector.

Wren comes from his post as Director of Asylum Aid since 2002, having previously held senior management roles at Shelter and the Housing Associations Charitable Trust. Maurice has led Asylum Aid’s advocacy work on improving access to legal representation for asylum seekers. He has also been a trustee of the Refugee Council, and was a co-founder the Independent Asylum Commission from 2006-2008, and Detention Forum, a coalition of charities working on immigration detention since 2009.

Incoming CEO Maurice Wren says:

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Refugee Council and delighted at the prospect of leading a charity for which I have immense respect and admiration. I’m passionate about the cause of protection and know well from my long involvement in the refugee movement the vital role the Refugee Council plays in supporting those who seek sanctuary in the UK.

I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues at the Refugee Council, confident that we will continue to provide advice and support of the highest quality to those fleeing persecution and human rights abuses, and to advocate strongly for a just and fair asylum system.”

Douglas Board, Chair of the Refugee Council, says:

“We are delighted that Maurice Wren is taking up this vital leadership role for the Refugee Council and the board very much looks forward to working with him. Maurice is a leader who is utterly courageous and tenacious on behalf of refugees. His experience of the legal and wider humanitarian aspects of refugee and asylum issues, his leadership on gender issues, and his commitment to building partnerships will strengthen the Refugee Council and the sector in the years ahead.

His experience will ensure we not only develop and improve essential services for thousands of refugees across the country, but that the voice of those refugees and of the Refugee Council shapes the debates that affect our clients the most.”

Wren replaces Donna Covey, who left the Refugee Council in August 2012 after five years of service at the charity. Douglas Board steps down as chair in December 2012 at the end of his six year term, and will be replaced by Yvonne Cass.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Wren was appointed following a competitive recruitment process involving advertisement and search. In 2006 he was elected to, and now resigns from, the Refugee Council’s board of trustees.

For more information, please contact the Refugee Council press office on 020 7346 1214 / 07956 636 219 or email Philippa.mcintyre@refugeecouncil.org.uk