WaterAid: Stephen Turner retires

Head of Policy and Deputy Director Stephen Turner is retiring from WaterAid, where he worked since 1990. At that time the organisation only had 15 staff members with an income of about GBP 2.5 million (EUR 3.4 millon). Today, the organisation’s income is about GBP 37 million (EUR 49.8 million) and the staff has grown to 150 members. His first job was about raising funds from the UK government and the European Union and then he became involved with the shaping and drafting of WaterAid’s strategy. Mr. Turner has been very active in the 1999-2000 Water for People Vision 21 development and its advocacy and communication implementation. He started as a VSO volunteer in Nigeria. He hopes to have another good 15 years to do things he feels passionate about, even if he doesn’t quite know what these are going to be.

In an interview with the WSSCC newsletter Mr. Turner made a plea to see more WASH advocactes that don't come from the water sector. WaterAid is currently working with the British Medical Association to get health professionals highlighting the fact that WASH issues are crucial components to any health improvement and disease-decrease agenda.

Source: WSSCC Newsletter, Dec. 2007