UK for UNHCR appoints four new Trustees

Anita Yuen, Jon Sparkes, Lara Boro and Mick Dyson appointed to the Charity’s board

London, 8 July 2025 – UK for UNHCR has appointed Anita Yuen (Chief Partnerships Officer, Women Deliver), Jon Sparkes (Chief Executive, Mencap), Lara Boro (CEO, The Economist Group) and Mick Dyson (CFO, Education Development Trust) as new Trustees to its Board.

UK for UNHCR is the United Nations Refugee Agency’s national charity partner, working to mobilise private sector funds, solidarity and partnerships to support UNHCR’s humanitarian relief programmes around the world.

Since its launch in 2020, UK for UNHCR has funded more than £100 million of humanitarian assistance, protection services and sustainable solutions for refugees worldwide, helping to protect people fleeing war and conflict in countries such as Ukraine, Sudan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Myanmar and Syria.

UK for UNHCR also promotes the inclusion and contribution of refugees through creative public engagement programmes in the UK, supported by a national network of refugee storytellers from more than 25 countries. Through events, media and campaigns, participating storytellers build public understanding of the experiences of refugees by sharing their own personal journeys of fleeing conflict and persecution, and how they have rebuilt their lives in the UK.

With UNHCR’s global operations almost entirely funded by voluntary donations at a time where more than 122 million people have been forcibly displaced, private sector partnerships and support from individuals have never been more vital.

Anita, Jon, Lara and Mick join following the retirement of Trustees Zarlasht Halaimzai and Garvin Brown, having both supported the charity as Trustees since early 2022. We are delighted that Garvin continues as Vice Chair of our Advisory Development Board.

Announcing their appointments, Charlotte Boyle, Chair of UK for UNHCR, said: “UNHCR has a leading role in the protection of refugees worldwide and UK private sector support helps make this possible. In the face of the humanitarian sector’s biggest funding crisis in living memory, we are intensifying our efforts to raise funds, mobilise partnerships and ensure people fleeing conflict and persecution are not forgotten. We are delighted to welcome Lara, Anita, Mick and Jon, and look forward to benefiting from their collective expertise.”

“Our deep gratitude also goes to Garvin and Zarlasht for their contribution as Trustees, helping to establish the charity in its first five years.”

Anita Yuen

Anita Yuen is a global leader in partnerships and engagement with over 20 years of experience driving social impact across climate, health, gender equity, child rights and humanitarian response. Anita brings deep expertise in cross-sector collaboration, digital transformation and fundraising innovation. She is passionate about leveraging innovation, technology and partnerships to address the world’s most pressing challenges, with a strong understanding of refugee issues, humanitarian aid and crisis response.

Anita Yuen says: “I’m honoured to join the Board of UK for UNHCR. Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by a deep commitment to equity, inclusive climate solutions and global social impact. The work of UNHCR is more vital than ever, and I’m proud to support their mission to protect and support those forced to flee, and to help build lasting solutions through partnership and innovation.”

Jon Sparkes

Jon Sparkes is Chief Executive of Mencap, the national learning disability charity, working to support people with a learning disability to live the lives they choose to live. He is an experienced leader in the charity sector, bringing a wealth of valuable experience to the Board and great understanding of the plight of refugees and displaced people.

Jon Sparkes says: “I am delighted to be joining the Board of UK for UNHCR. Having witnessed the experiences of refugees and displaced people during my work for UNICEF UK, and how this also manifests itself in homelessness and rough sleeping in the UK, I was determined to play a part in supporting the work of UK for UNHCR. From my previous work, I know how generous the UK public can be in relation to people needing support from the UN throughout the world, and I have seen how they respond to the needs of people who have been or become marginalised. It is a privilege to support the work of UK for UNHCR as they seek support from the UK public and organisations for refugees and displaced people.”

Lara Boro

Lara is currently Chief Executive of The Economist Group, a position she has held since 2019. Born in Croatia to a Lebanese father and a Croatian–Austrian mother, she grew up in Lebanon, fleeing the war there in the mid-1970s. The family moved to the former Yugoslavia for two years before arriving in the UK. Lara has lived in 15 countries, offering a wealth of lived experience to UK for UNHCR.

Lara Boro says: “Having witnessed the devastating impact of the wars in Lebanon and Croatia, I understand the profound difference it makes to offer hope and support to refugees and displaced people during their most challenging times. The vital work carried out by UNHCR is more crucial today than ever, and I am delighted to be able to contribute to their efforts through UK for UNHCR.”

Mick Dyson

Mick Dyson is Chief Financial Officer at Education Development Trust, a UK-based charity working globally to improve life chances through better education and skills outcomes. Before joining Education Development Trust in 2018, Mick spent 14 years working with humanitarian and development organisations focused on supporting communities affected by poverty, conflict and disaster. This included four years with the Danish Refugee Council, during which he worked closely with UNHCR across Asia and the Middle East.

Mick Dyson says: “I’m pleased to support UK for UNHCR in its important work with displaced people around the world. Having seen the impact of forced displacement both professionally and personally, I feel strongly about contributing where I can. I hope my experience in financial management and governance will help the organisation continue to deliver effective, lasting support for refugees.”

For more information on UK for UNHCR’s Board visit unrefugees.org.uk/our-team, or for more information about UK for UNHCR visit unrefugees.org.uk

-Ends- 

Notes to Editors  

Anita Yuen: Anita has held senior roles at Women Deliver, The Earthshot Prize, Meta, UNICEF and the UN World Food Programme, pioneering innovative strategies to help organisations scale their impact globally. Her leadership has mobilised funding and engagement across more than 100 countries. Anita previously served as a Trustee of CARE International UK.

Jon Sparkes: Jon previously held the role of Chief Executive of UNICEF UK, Crisis UK and Scope. Before moving into the charity sector, Jon was Group Human Resources Director for the technology investment firm, The Generics Group. He was awarded an OBE in 2022 for services to people experiencing homelessness, and is also a Trustee of St Petrocs, the Cornwall homelessness charity.

Lara Boro: Prior to The Economist Group, Lara ran the Intelligence arm of Informa plc, served as CEO International at Ascential plc and held senior-level positions at CPA Global, the Financial Times and Lloyd’s of London.

Mick Dyson: Mick began his career with PwC, where he qualified as a chartered accountant, and later earned a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the London School of Economics. Mick’s deep commitment to supporting refugees is both professional and personal – shaped by witnessing the impact of displacement throughout his career, and by a desire to better understand the experience of a close family member who was displaced as a child.

For additional information, please contact: Sara Guy, email: [email protected] Tel.: 0208 183 0121

About UK for UNHCR   

UK for UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity partner for the UK. We build solidarity, create partnerships and raise funds across the UK to help deliver global humanitarian relief for refugees through UNHCR’s work. unrefugees.org.uk

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. It delivers life-saving assistance like shelter, food and water, helps safeguard fundamental human rights, and develops solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future. UNHCR also works to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality. www.unhcr.org

UK for UNHCR is a registered charity in England and Wales (registered charity number 1183415).

Images are available to download here.