George takes over as IIED trustee chair
After more than a decade of dedicated service to IIED and five years as chair of its board of trustees, Dr Tara Shine is stepping down, the institute has announced. Vice chair Paul George will take over.
IIED's new trustee chair, Paul George (Photo: Paul George, IIED)
A specialist on climate change and the environment and development, Dr Shine took over from former Costa Rica vice-president Rebeca Grynspan in September 2020.
IIED executive director Tom Mitchell said: “Tara has led the board through a long, and at times, challenging period with clarity, verve and deep commitment to the organisation’s mission and values.
“We are grateful for the leadership she has given us, and she leaves with our deepest thanks and warmest wishes.”
Paul George, currently vice chair, will take over as trustee chair for one year, providing continuity of leadership in the institute’s governance over the coming months during an important period of internal consolidation and restructuring.
Trustees will begin the recruitment process for a new chair in early 2026.
“I plan my departure knowing that IIED is in safe hands with Paul ready to step in as a very capable chair, supported by a diverse and experienced board of trustees," said Tara, CEO of Change by Degrees and who has worked with organisations including Irish Aid, the Swedish Development Agency (Sida), The Elders and the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice.
“The context for IIED’s work has never been more challenging and never more important.
"I want to thank everyone in IIED, as well as our partners and funders, for the trust they have put in me over the last five years as chair. I remain an avid supporter of the work and mission of IIED, and I will remain a lifelong admirer of the organisation’s talented people, partners and impact on the world.”
Incoming IIED trustee chair Paul George, left, chats with departing chair Tara Shine and former board member Maarten van Aalst at the 2024 Barbara Ward Lecture (Photo: Benjamin Mole/IIED)
A chartered accountant by profession, George has been a trustee of IIED since 2021, most of which time has been as vice chair. He also chairs Calm Mediation, London's leading community mediation and restorative justice charity, and serves on the board of Oxford Policy Management; he was previously a trustee at ActionAid UK.
From 2010-20, he led PwC’s international development practice, a role in which he first got to know IIED as a partner on long-running FCDO programmes.
“I am honoured to succeed Tara as chair of IIED’s board of trustees,” said Paul, who is also a writer and historian.
“Never has IIED’s work, supporting the leadership of the most vulnerable countries and communities in the face of climate change and the many other pressures they face, been more important or more pressing.
“As a board we are united in our commitment to IIED’s mission, and in our determination to build a strong organisation for the future, as we work with Tom Mitchell and his team to navigate the rapid changes taking place in the international development sector.”
He added: “On behalf of the board I want to thank Tara for her leadership and deep commitment to IIED's values.”
IIED’s board of trustees oversees IIED’s delivery of its mission and manifesto, and ensures the institute’s work is monitored and evaluated effectively.
