Tim Howarth Chief Executive Officer Expand Tim Howarth is Chief Executive of United World Schools (UWS). Under Tim's leadership, and working with the committed and passionate UWS team, UWS has reached over 36,000 previously out-of-school-children through education with a network of over 220 UWS Community Schools and learning sites in remote regions of South East Asia. UWS is a 2019 WISE Award Winner for educational innovation, and a 2020 UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize winner for ethnic minority literacy programmes. Tim is a trained teacher. Prior to his time at UWS, he has worked in a number of schools and educational organisations in the UK and Australia, responsible for staff performance, development and training. As an educational consultant, Tim has also worked with head teachers and school leaders to develop teaching and leadership capacity in UK schools. Since 2011, Tim increasingly devoted his time to growing and scaling the work of UWS, a charity that his family founded in 2009. Tim was initially a UWS volunteer, then consultant, became Chief Operating Officer in 2012, and Chief Executive in 2015. Tim is a Fellow of the RSA and since 2019 has been listed on the UK Social Entrepreneur Index, which recognises the UK’s most influential social entrepreneurs. Tim lives in London with his young family and, when time allows, is also a keen kite surfer, runner and skier.
Sofeena Lalani Director of Development and Communications Expand Sofeena leads UWS' philanthropy partnerships and communications. She has responsibility for fundraising, brand, content, and marketing. Sofeena has over 15 years’ experience working in the international development sector across a number of NGOs and within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Sofeena strongly believes that business has a role to play in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals. She is an advocate of public private partnerships and has substantial experience in building strategic and innovative partnerships across a range of social issues. She is committed to leading people to deliver successful outcomes and has a passion for powerful storytelling. She is proud to work for UWS where we achieve transformational change for the world’s children.
Peter Campling Global Programmes Director Expand Peter initially studied for a Degree and Masters in International Development and worked and travelled in India and Latin America as well as working as an actor, director and writer. He eventually became a teacher and has been working in the UK education system for the past 25 years. After seven years as Headteacher of an inner-London secondary school, Peter established himself as a leadership specialist, coach and trainer. He has worked for a range of schools across the primary and secondary sectors, as well as for leading national organisations such as the Association of School and College Leaders, Ambition School Leadership, the Cooperative College and Oxfam Education. Peter is very excited to be taking up the new role of Global Programmes Director for UWS, which will fully utilise the experience he has gained from his varied career to date. Beyond working life, Peter has two teenage children and a passion for sport, music and the theatre and still indulges in creative writing of his own, when he can find the time.
Richard Chadwick Director of Finance & Operations Expand Richard is responsible for the smooth running of Finance and Operations within UWS. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales and has over 20 years of senior management experience across the corporate (telecoms and retail) and charity sectors. Most recently Richard spent 11 years at The Prince's Trust, the UK's leading youth charity, initially as Deputy Director of Finance and then as Director of Programmes and Development. Richard is also a Trustee and Vice Chair of a London Multi-Academy Trust.
Dr Kay Khaing Win Myanmar Country Director Expand Dr Kay Khaing Win, our Myanmar Country Director, has extensive experience in designing and leading a broad range of development programmes across the country. After studying medicine in Yangon University, Kay went on to pursue a Masters in Development Management in the Phillipines; a combination which has since been put to good use. Kay’s knowledge of medicine has lead to her involvement in numerous health and sanitation programmes, including World Concern Relief Myanmar and The Leprosy Mission. Her leadership in the latter has helped to improve UWS' efficiency and reputation in Myanmar, and gives her considerable experience in driving forward challenging projects. With her excellent track record for success, and detailed knowledge of the region, Kay is well placed to manage the exciting progression of our young Myanmar hub in Shan State.
Surya Karki Nepal Country Director Expand Surya was born in Nepal, educated in Venezuela and USA, and is also co-founder of Maya Nepal, a network of rural schools providing free education through an innovative farm-school model. Prior to UWS, his work with this organisation gave him valuable experience in the challenges of establishing schools in remote areas. A true believer in quality education for all, Surya has worked as a Dayitwa National Fellow to the former Nepali Prime Minister, Hon. Madhav Kumar Nepal. He has also worked for Action Aid International, researching and implementing poverty alleviation projects. In 2013, he was awarded the Young Sustainable Living Entrepreneurs Award by Prince Charles and was honoured as a Global Laureate Fellow by the International Youth Foundation in 2014. Surya has led UWS' operations in Nepal since 2015.
Nan Sitha Cambodia Country Director Expand Born and raised in Ratanakiri, Sitha oversees the day-to-day operations of the UWS Cambodia Schools, and manages their sustainable growth. Before working with UWS, Sitha ran an eco-tourist business in Ratanakiri, bringing him into close contact with indigenous groups across the Province. He developed a deep empathy for ethnic minority communities and the out-of-school children he saw. His role at UWS Cambodia includes managing all our staff there and overseeing the building of schools, as well as leading visiting international volunteer groups on projects. His local knowledge, experience and in depth understanding of indigenous cultures and government policy make him the ideal person to represent UWS when working with district and provincial authorities.