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Ben Simms

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Ben Simms

Chief Executive Officer

Biography

Ben Simms is Chief Executive of Global Health Partnerships (formerly THET), with over 30 years’ experience leading global health, disability and development programmes across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. He is passionate about strengthening the global health workforce, building equitable partnerships, and tackling racism as a structural barrier to better health outcomes. Before joining GHP, Ben held senior roles with HIV and disability organisations, including Sue Ryder, Sense International and STOPAIDS, and worked with UN agencies on rights‑based public health programming, experiences that shaped his commitment to anti‑racism, power‑sharing and the principle that global health must be built on mutual benefit, not charity.
At GHP, Ben has played a pivotal role in expanding the organisation’s pioneering Health Partnership model, enabling thousands of NHS staff to collaborate with peers in more than 30 countries.
A leading advocate for ethical health workforce mobility, Ben champions the contributions of diaspora health professionals and is a regular contributor to global policy discussions, including the World Health Assembly. He argues consistently for a UK approach to global health rooted in solidarity, long‑term system strengthening and investment in people. He has played a leading role in shaping and driving the UK Global Health Summit, helping establish it as a national platform that convenes government leaders, diaspora networks, academics and health professionals to advance a more globally engaged, equitable UK health system. In addition, Ben has provided significant leadership in coordinating the UK health community’s response to the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, convening a broad alliance of over 30 UK health institutions and diaspora clinicians to support colleagues affected by escalating violence and the collapse of the country’s health system.
He holds an MSc in Development Management (Open University) and an MA in History (University of Edinburgh), and has served as a councillor, trustee, and is Vice-Chair of the BBC Charity Appeals Advisory Committee.

ben.simms@globalhealthpartnerships.org

@bensimms65 

Louise McGrath

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Louise McGrath

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Biography

Louise is an experienced manager of international development programmes and organisations with specific thematic expertise in health and social development and on policy influence. Louise has geographic experience across Africa, Asia and Latin America and spent 12 years living and working in Brazil.

During her professional career working for a range of international health and development organisations, including NGOs and research institutes, Louise has developed a strong track-record in partnerships, programme design and management, capacity development and the generation and use of evidence to inform policy making and practice.

Originally trained as a nurse, Louise has a BSc in Philosophy and Sociology and an MSc in Environmental and Development Education.

Louise.mcgrath@thet.org

@LouiseM_THET

Saf Rahbour

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Saf Rahbour

Chief Operating Officer

Biography

A CIMA-qualified Chartered Management Accountant, Saf has over 20 years of experience working within the non-profit and INGO sector.

With considerable experience leading teams in cross-divisional projects, Saf has supported senior management and Board members during her career, providing strategic leadership and operational support during the implementation of finance systems and change management phases at International Organisations.

At BBC Media Action, in her role as Head of Project Finance, Saf led a team of Project Accountants during a significant finance transformation project, delivering financial management training and guidance to Country Directors, Finance Managers and project staff based in country offices across Africa, Asia, and MENA regions.

 

Saf continues to engage in volunteering and was appointed by Medical Aid for Palestinians in March 2023 as an Independent Member of the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee.  She has previously held positions as a Trustee at The Charity Finance Group and completed a six-year tenure as an Independent Member of the Audit and Risk Committee with UNICEF UK, where her role included providing guidance and recommendations for the Board on a range of policies, including oversight on financial reporting, risk, HR, governance, and internal controls. Saf has a BSc (Hons.) in Mathematics with Business Studies from Queen Mary University of London and a PGCE in Mathematics from Kings College London.

HROps@thet.org

 

 

Richard Skone James

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Richard Skone James

Director of Programmes

Biography

Richard joined THET in November 2014 as Grants Officer. He has a Masters degree in International Development from the University of Edinburgh. Prior to working with THET, he spent two years in Nairobi initiating a refugee education programme, and he previously worked in fundraising and communications for London-based NGOs.

Richard.skone-james@thet.org

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Margaret Caffrey

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Margaret Caffrey

Technical Director, Health Systems Strengthening

Biography

Margaret joined THET in 2023. She is a highly experienced health workforce (HWF) and health systems (HS) specialist, with over 20 years’ experience in the design, delivery and evaluation of HWF and HS programmes, and related research across Africa and Asia. She has provided technical leadership and assistance in health systems strengthening, and health workforce policy, planning, management and development, working in partnership with global and country stakeholders, including government ministries and agencies, health education providers, health workers, civil society and communities, and donors and development partners. She has led and facilitated reviews and evaluations of health systems and health workforce policies, programmes and interventions, using mixed methods research approaches and evaluation methodologies.

She also has expertise in the design and delivery of health workforce and health systems capacity development interventions, particularly in the areas of HWF governance and leadership. At THET, in her role as Technical Director, Health Systems Strengthening, Margaret provides technical leadership for the Global Health Workforce Programme and other THET programmes.

Anne Buglass

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Anne Buglass

Head of Programmes

Biography

Anne joined THET in May 2024.  She has worked in the international development sector since 2010 and brings a wealth of experience in the management and strategic development of health and education programmes in LMICs.

Previously, she spent 8 years as Director of Programmes at Vision Action, and held key roles in an international volunteering organisation, overseeing a portfolio of programmes across Asia, Africa, the South Pacific, and Latin America. She has lived and worked in a number of countries including Ghana, Costa Rica, and Fiji.

Moses Wasswa Mulimira

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Moses Wasswa Mulimira

Diaspora Engagement Advisor

Biography

Moses  is on a secondment from NHS England where he has been working as a global health  Project  manager.

During his professional career, Moses has worked in mental health services with East London NHS Foundation Trust where he is currently volunteering as vice chairperson of East London NHS – Butabika ( Uganda) international health link . Moses has co-founded the Uganda Diaspora Health Foundation and UK  East African Health Summit with strategic aim empowering the diaspora voice in global health .

 

Moses has a BSc in Health Psychology, Masters in Public Health (Addictions) from  Kings’ College London and a Post Graduate in Health Research from Oxford University .  At THET, in his role as Diaspora Engagement Advisor, Moses leads on Experts in our Midst / Voices diaspora programmes and the wider diaspora engagement activities  .

Moses.Mulimira@thet.org

Zoë Gray

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Zoë Gray

Head of External Engagement

Biography

Zoë Gray is a strategic advocacy, policy, and communications professional with 20-plus years’ of experience and expertise spanning health, human rights, and international development. She specialises in advancing equitable and inclusive health and development and raising the voices of marginalised populations.

In NGOs and as a consultant, she has set direction and developed strategies for advocacy and communications. Accustomed to using many channels and fora for advocacy, she has led staff, allies, and partner NGOs to secure advocacy and policy changes in UK and overseas across health, disability, poverty reduction and minority rights.

 

She has extensive experience of high-level representation, including chairing and presenting alongside high-level officials and politicians. She has delivered advocacy and policy events at World Health Assembly, UN General Assembly, and many in Africa and Asia. Zoë brings extensive field experience and, thus, sensitivity to local realities. She has held strategic roles on health, disability, minority rights, and gender inclusion. Zoë is a trained journalist and has an MSc in Development Studies.

Edward Tonkin

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Edward Tonkin

Head of Research, Evidence and Learning

Biography

Edward joined THET in February 2012. He has a BA (Hons) in Political Studies and a Masters in Development Studies from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. He has worked in various development organisations including Oxfam and Volunteer Service Abroad and has travelled and volunteered in India and Africa, including Zambia.

He has also worked in a political environment, for a Member of Parliament in Wellington.

Edward@thet.org

@EdwardLT