Exodus Travels Foundation appoints new chair

The Exodus Travels Foundation has appointed charity sector stalwart Diana Tickell as its new chair.

She replaces interim chair Sam Seward, managing director of the tour operator, who has been chair of the adventure tour operator’s charity arm for the past 18 months.

Prior to that former managing director Pete Burrell was chairman of the board of trustees for the foundation, an independent, not-for-profit organisation set up in 2019 to build on Exodus’ support of community-based social impact and conservation projects worldwide.

Tickell has seven years’ experience as chief executive of NABS, the advertising and media industry’s wellbeing charity, and 13 years at Barnardo’s, but started her career in the travel industry, working for The Travel Club of Upminster from 1990 to 1992. She also spent time volunteering in Sierra Leone, helping to deliver a community-based programme.

She specialises in fundraising, strategy and engagement.

Exodus Adventure Travels head of sustainability Rochelle Turner said: “I am delighted to have Diana join the Foundation and I am looking forward to seeing her spearhead its growth.

“Through the foundation, we have partnered with some incredible organisations to help drive conservation and regeneration of communities and ecosystems in the places Exodus visits.

“Diana’s knowledge and experience will be invaluable in helping us share these stories more widely with a view to creating even more positive impact.”

The foundation’s mission is to improve lives through travel across three main strands: people, places and planet by supporting projects that create long-term transformational change. Part of Tickell’s role will be to raise funds for the foundation and develop its brand awareness and identity.