Claire Ireland shares her reflections on becoming a Trustee for Practical Action, a role she was appointed to by Oxford HR in 2024.
She discusses her motivations, the organisation’s transformative work, and key takeaways from a recent visit to Kenya. Claire highlights the importance of Trustee engagement and how direct involvement with communities strengthens governance and decision-making. Claire is also the Director of Programmes at The Elders Foundation.
Why I Wanted to Be a Trustee for Practical Action
When the opportunity arose to become a Trustee for Practical Action, I knew it was the right fit. My career has spanned both grassroots community work and global advocacy with former world leaders, and I’ve always believed that high-level decision-making must stay connected to realities on the ground. Practical Action’s commitment to innovative, community-driven solutions that tackle poverty and climate change perfectly aligns with this belief, bridging my global work with direct, tangible impact.
The organisation’s approach—working alongside communities to create sustainable, scalable change—resonated deeply with me. As a Trustee, I saw an opportunity to bring together my expertise in aid management, senior charity sector leadership, and governance skills to support an organisation that doesn’t just imagine a better world but actively builds it. Becoming a Trustee allows me to make meaningful connections and help shape strategies that drive real, lasting improvements in people’s lives.
Highlights from My Recent Visit to Kenya
Visiting Practical Action’s projects in Kenya alongside the CEO and, Chair of the Board recently, supported by the dedicated Kenya team was an unforgettable experience. From the outset, I was struck by how the organisation champions inclusivity and gender equality—not just in principle, but in practice. Our driver, Margaret, was a testament to how Practical Action is fostering opportunities for women at all levels.
One of the most inspiring moments was visiting the Resilient Agriculture that Works for Youth (RAY) project, supported by the Mastercard Foundation. This initiative equips young people, particularly women, with agricultural skills, financial literacy, and market connections. Meeting Sharon, a 25-year-old mother who joined the project in 2020, was eye-opening. Through the programme, she has built expertise in poultry farming and financial management and now mentors 16 others. Her success highlights the transformative power of equipping young people with the right tools and knowledge.
Another standout moment was meeting Shakey, a 21-year-old mentor who grows kale, groundnuts, and maize on her late father’s land. Despite challenges like high irrigation costs, her determination to expand her business, support her family, and uplift others through mentorship was deeply moving. These stories reinforced the importance of mentorship, skills development, and market access in building sustainable livelihoods.
The Importance of Trustee Engagement
Seeing Practical Action’s work firsthand has reaffirmed to me why active Trustee engagement is essential. Trustees shape an organisation’s direction, but real understanding comes from experiencing projects in action, listening to beneficiaries, and engaging with teams on the ground.
These experiences provide invaluable insights into the challenges, successes, and opportunities within an organisations work. They ensure that governance and decision-making are informed, relevant, and aligned with the real needs of communities.
This visit reinforced my commitment to Practical Action’s mission and the critical role Trustees play in amplifying impact. Seeing lives transformed through innovation, mentorship, and resilience was a powerful reminder of why our work as Trustees matters—and why we must stay connected to the communities we serve.
To learn more about how Oxford HR can support you in appointing Board members or with governance reviews, visit https://oxfordhr.com/services/board-advisory/.
Claire Ireland
Claire Ireland’s 30 years’ international development experience in Africa, Middle East, Asia and the Pacific spans roles as technical expert, diplomat and donor, and director of advocacy/influencing at the highest levels.
She started her career as an environment specialist working at the community level and has considerable experience within small consultancies on climate change, WASH and sustainable livelihoods.
She designed, led and evaluated AusAID programmes in Asia and the Pacific, and served as Australian Ambassador in Nigeria (with responsibilities across 5 west African countries). Claire is based in the UK and is currently Director of Programmes of The Elders.
