A message from Cara's Chair - a welcome to our new Chief Executive!

We are delighted to welcome Matt Foster as our new Chief Executive of Cara, as from Monday 7 April 2025.

Matt brings with him a wealth of experience of international development and the higher education sector. He started his career at the Universities of Northern England Consortium for International Activities; then became Director of Strategy at VSO, Regional Director for South-East Asia and Country Director for Cambodia; then Director of the International Development Office for the Open University; and most recently Chief Impact and Development Officer for Forum for the Future. He brings with him substantial experience of strategic leadership, programme design, and income generation, and most importantly of all a commitment to Cara’s mission in supporting academics at risk across the world.

Matt takes over from Stephen Wordsworth who will be stepping down after nearly 13 years as Cara’s Executive Director. Stephen has played an enormous role in transforming Cara into a highly respected and effective organisation. We are extremely grateful to Stephen for everything he has done and wish him all the very best for the future.

Dame Nicola Dandridge