Islamic Relief (IR) has appointed Saleh Saeed as its new CEO with effect from June 30 2008.
Saeed replaces outgoing CEO, Haroun Atallah, who has been at IR since 1993 and will remain within the organisation, focusing on the role of Finance Director.
“In welcoming Saleh to his new role, the trustees would also like to thank the outgoing CEO, Haroun Atallah, for the extremely hard work and dedication displayed during his term of office,” said the IR board of trustees in a statement.
Saeed is no stranger to IR, having worked for the organisation previously in 1991-2000. He began as a data entry officer and worked his way up the management structure with posts that included the publicity, fundraising and international projects divisions, as well as a short time running IR’s USA partner office.
“The trustees feel that Saleh’s journey through Islamic Relief gives him a unique insight into virtually all aspects of the organisation’s structure, as well as serving to reinforce the inspirational, democratic and inclusive nature of its management ethos,” the statement said.
Since leaving IR Saeed has held a number of senior project and development roles for education and health authorities, with his last post involving managing Microsoft’s West Midlands ‘Unlimited Programme’. In his spare time he helps run the Yemeni Community Association, in Sandwell, of which he is a founder member.
One of Saeed’s first tasks within the role of IR’s CEO will be to help strengthen the organisation’s reputation.
“In these times of relative tension, I hope to help build upon Islamic Relief’s reputation as a visibly transparent, professional and wholly reliable organisation that all countries and governments can interact with in total confidence and partnership,” Saeed said.
“I feel full of optimism about Islamic Relief’s future and I am extremely impressed by the constantly improving human resources base we have here as an organisation. Working together, I am sure great things are possible, inshallah,” he added.
Saeed is currently engaged in a two-week handover period and will officially take over the role on June 30 2008.