Meet our global leadership team
Inscribed in stone at our sites around the globe are the words – Their Name Liveth For Evermore. That simple phrase is both a challenge and a promise to commitment in perpetuity. For the staff of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission #Remembranceis our job, #Remembranceis our passion.
OUR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM | |
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OUR AREA AND FUNCTION DIRECTORS | |
After 22 years of military service, David held director positions at institutions across Ontario, Canada, including Ottawa Community Housing and the Greater Victoria School District where he successfully introduced many sustainability initiatives. For David, Remembrance is APPRECIATION. |
David has worked for CWGC for over 30 years in all of its global areas and has recently led initiatives on performance standards and chemical reduction. He is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Horticulture, has served on the Institute’s Council, is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners as well as being a Trustee of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. For David, Remembrance is FOR EVERYONE. |
Gareth has, over the last eight years worked with our horticultural and construction teams across Northern and Southern Europe, starting as Horticulture Manager and progressing to Deputy Director. Now as Special Projects Director he works across the Commission to deliver key strategic corporate projects. For Gareth, Remembrance is LIFE. |
Geert has a background in major projects, operations and construction management. He has worked at board level in companies across the manufacturing industry. He has an engineering/surveyor degree as well as an MBA from KULeuven, Belgium For Geert, Remembrance is GRATITUDE AND RESPECT. |
 ![]() James has worked in the private and not-for-profit sectors in various senior operational roles providing activities and wellbeing solutions to the local communities. He manages one of our growing UK volunteering programmes. For James, Remembrance is FREEDOM. |
John has worked in the voluntary sector for over thirty years including ten years at Oxfam and as Director for Fundraising (Western Europe) for Habitat for Humanity International. He also worked for many years as a consultant with many of the UK’s best loved charities including Guide Dogs for the Blind, WaterAid, the British Red Cross, Alzheimer’s Society and Diabetes UK. For John, Remembrance is GRATITUDE. |
Jon is a Chartered Building Surveyor and joined the Commission in 2017 as Director of Works. Prior to this, Jon spent several years working for various organisations specialising in the management of historic estates. His background has been particularly focussed towards managing major conservation projects. For Jon, Remembrance is RECOGNITION. |
![]() Rich Hills is the Area Director for Africa and Asia. Rich joined the Commission in 2013 after completing 22 years' service as a Royal Marines Officer. He has a broad background in leadership, strategy, operations and military diplomacy. For Rich, Remembrance is PERSONAL. |
Xavier has 15 years’ experience in international business and 10 years managing industrial SMEs in France and in Europe. Throughout his career, he has developed strong management practices and communication skills. For Xavier, Remembrance is THE CELEBRATION OF HUMANITY. |
![]() Niall joined the Commission in 2019 after more than 20 years working in the commercial and consultancy sectors. He brings with him extensive leadership experience of IT operations and is responsible for all global IT services that support the Commission's work in more than 150 countries. For Niall, Remembrance is REVERENCE. |
Gareth was a solicitor specialising in criminal defence representation who moved to Human Rights organisation Liberty where he led Public Affairs work in Westminster as the Policy Director. He left to become Executive Director of Policy, Communications and Fundraising at Children’s Charity TACT where he led national campaigns to benefit children in the care system. He was then CEO at mental health charity OCD Action before being appointed as Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Communications at the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education For Gareth, Remembrance is REFLECTIVE. |
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OUR REGION AND COUNTRY MANAGERS | |
For Amit, Remembrance is THANKFULNESS. |
For Andy, Remembrance is HONOUR. |
For Baptiste, Remembrance is CONNECTED GENERATIONS. |
For Daniel, Remembrance is REFLECTION ON SACRIFICE. |
For Dennis, Remembrance is A REMINDER OF PEACE. |
For Django, Remembrance is CARING. |
For Eleni, Remembrance is ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COURAGE AND SACRIFICE. |
For Gobhu, Remembrance is PAYING RESPECT. |
For Hillol, Remembrance is BEING A PART OF HISTORY. |
For Zulkaimar, Remembrance is REMEMBERING THEIR SACRIFICE. |
For Juan, Remembrance is PERSONAL. |
For Asako, Remembrance is CONTINUE TELLING THE NEXT |
For Mick, Remembrance is KEEPING THEIR HISTORY ALIVE. |
For Nancy, Remembrance is about HONOURING THE SACRIFICE. |
For Osama, Remembrance is about REMEMBERING AND PRAISING THEIR BRAVERY. |
For Patrick, Remembrance is about RECOGNISING THEIR SACRIFICE. |
For Sarah, Remembrance is DEDICATION. |
For Thet, Remembrance is about THE RELATIVES OF THE DEAD. |
For Morris, Remembrance is KEEP PASSING THE STORIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH SOLDIERS SACRIFICED IN THE 1941 DEFENCE OF HONG KONG TO OUR KIDS AND THEIRS. |
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