Tim Costello to take up new role as Chief Advocate for World Vision Australia

Monday, May 9, 2016

The Chairman of World Vision Australia, George Savvides, announced today that the aid agency’s long-serving chief executive Tim Costello will take up a new executive role as Chief Advocate for World Vision Australia later this year.

Mr Savvides said that in Mr Costello’s 13 years heading the organisation Tim had made a unique and powerful contribution to World Vision, as well as to the lives of many millions of people all over the world.

“Tim has brought extraordinary vision, compassion and a burning sense of justice to his role as CEO of World Vision Australia. He has been tireless in standing up for the world’s most vulnerable people and giving a voice to the voiceless,” he said.

Mr Savvides said this talent was exemplified in 2004, when following the Boxing Day Tsunami that saw 230,000 people perish, Tim’s passionate personal appeals amidst the devastation on the ground saw Australians open their hearts and wallets, donating more than $100 million to World Vision Australia alone.

“I am therefore, delighted to be able to announce that Tim has agreed to continue with World Vision in a new executive role as Chief Advocate for World Vision Australia once a new CEO commences later this year,” Mr Savvides said.

Mr Costello said after 13 years as CEO of World Vision he was looking forward to a new role which will allow him to continue to advocate on behalf of the worlds’ most vulnerable people.

“This is a natural transition which will allow me to continue my passion for the work of World Vision while assisting the organisation to move forward under a new CEO,” he said.

Mr Costello, who has maintained a high profile as CEO of World Vision, Australia’s largest aid and development agency, since March 2004, will remain as CEO until his successor commences.

Mr Savvides said the international search firm Spencer Stuart had been appointed to conduct the recruitment and the process of identifying suitable candidates had already begun.

World Vision Australia had experienced significant growth and change during Mr Costello’s tenure, Mr Savvides said.

“When Tim took up the CEO role in 2004 World Vision had 480 projects benefiting 10.4 million people, a decade later this had grown exponentially with more than 800 World Vision development projects benefiting close to 100 million people across the globe including in Australia.”

The Board has worked with Mr Costello over the past 12 months to design a strong succession plan that will enable World Vision to continue to draw on the outgoing CEO’s vast experience and extraordinary talent to engage the hearts and minds of Australians.

In 2016, like all NGOs, World Vision is operating in a rapidly-changing and complex environment, and the Board is focused on ensuring the organisation can meet these challenges Mr Savvides said.

“While many Australians know Tim Costello as a passionate advocate for social justice causes at home as well as abroad, few would realise the enormous regard he is held in throughout the world for his clear vision and wise counsel,” Mr Savvides said.

“Our transition plan means Tim can continue to serve World Vision under a new CEO, engaging international leaders, major corporate donors, and funding agencies as well as our supporters, in identifying new ways of working and growing revenue.

“Finally, I know the Board joins me, as well as World Vision staff, volunteers and our many committed supporters around Australia, in thanking Tim for his exceptional commitment and the tremendous impact that his leadership has had on the people and communities with whom we work around the world.”

To arrange an interview with Tim Costello or George Savvides please contact Mary-Louise O’Callaghan on 0427 413 816 or mary-louise.ocallaghan@worldvision.com.au

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