Richard Blewitt

Richard Blewitt is the CEO of HelpAge International, a global network striving for the rights of disadvantaged older people to economic and physical security, healthcare and social services. HelpAge focuses on the development and strengthening of civil society structures in the developing world and on building linkages between civil society and government.

Blewitt has held senior positions with the British Red Cross Society, Save the Children, and the UN Office for Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Immediately prior to his appointment with HelpAge International in November of 2006, he served as director of policy and communications with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent in Geneva. His work in disaster relief and development has taken him to Sudan, Palestine, Afghanistan, North Korea, and, more recently, Myanmar.

He is a founding trustee of The Survivors’ Fund which supports the rights and needs of victims of the Rwandan genocide. He was also a trustee of The London Lighthouse charity from 2002 to 2005 which provides community-based services to people living with HIV/AIDS.

Richard holds a BSc with honors in business management from the University of Surrey and an MA from London University’s School of Oriental & African Studies.