UK for UNHCR welcomes two new members to its Advisory Board

Philanthropist and international art collector Aarti Lohia joins hedge fund founder Marcel Jongen to drive impact for refugees  

London, June 2025 – Aarti Lohia, Chair of SP Lohia Foundation and Indorama Charitable Trust and one of the world’s top 200 art collectors, has joined UK for UNHCR’s Advisory Board. Lohia, through SP Lohia Foundation, is supporting UNHCR’s lifesaving work in Sudan, which is currently facing the world’s largest displacement crisis.  

Also joining the charity’s Advisory Board is founder and former managing director of Adelphi Capital, Marcel Jongen. After a career in global finance, Jongen now dedicates his time to humanitarian and philanthropic causes through his charitable trust. 

The UK for UNHCR Advisory Board is a platform for philanthropists to scale strategic investments in UNHCR programmes and pool their expertise and influence to maximise collective impact. The Advisory Board is the first of its kind at UK for UNHCR, mobilising a diverse group of philanthropists. Advisory Board members support, among other initiatives, UNHCR’s global DAFI scholarship programme, technical and vocational education and training, and emergency responses in Lebanon and Syria. 

While global funding cuts and protracted conflicts push the humanitarian system to its limits, Lohia’s gift is an investment towards the protection and wellbeing of over 12 million forcibly displaced Sudanese people. Her commitment will help to improve the protection environment for refugees and enable the expansion of vital programmes and services, including emergency education in community centres, reception centres at the border and sanitation services.   

Aarti Lohia said: “SP Lohia Foundation supports some of the most impactful and effective organisations operating today. UNHCR is at the forefront of addressing the complex challenges that refugees face, and I am excited to join the Advisory Board in shaping their approach to the future of aid.”

 

Emma Cherniavsky, CEO of UK for UNHCR, said: “We are delighted that Aarti and Marcel have joined the Advisory Board. Their expertise, vision and generous financial resource will help UNHCR continue to deliver for the world’s refugees, now and in the long term. Especially at this moment of devastating government funding cuts, it is more impactful than ever for philanthropists and businesses to partner with humanitarians.” 

While the number of forcibly displaced people has almost doubled since 2015, from 64.1 million to 122.1 million, UNHCR’s resources are roughly at the same level as a decade ago. Advisory Board members are lending their expertise and pioneering the development of long–term, innovative solutions which are needed more than ever. These solutions are not just humanitarian goals – they are investments in regional and global stability. 

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Notes to Editor

For more information, please contact Isabelle Gius, [email protected]  

For more information on UK for UNHCR’s Advisory Board, please visit unrefugees.org.uk/take-action/uk-for-unhcr-advisory-board/   

UK for UNHCR Advisory Board members include: Garvin Brown (Trustee & Vice Chair), Al-karim Nathoo, Nyra Mahmood, Nepheli Rigas and Dr Nitya Mohan Khemka. 

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 lifesaving 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).