KALAYAAN APPOINTS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

We are delighted to announce that Hannah Billington has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer at Kalayaan, following the departure, due to relocation, of Rita Gava who successfully led the organisation for 19 years.

Hannah Billington will start her role in March 2025 and lead Kalayaan in its next phase, continuing to focus on and strengthen our crucial and much needed services for migrant domestic worker – specifically individual advice, policy work and community engagement.  Hannah has been an enormously successful Fundraising Director and Member of the Senior Management Team at the Liberal Democrats since 2019, and has previously worked in the charity sector, including at The Childhood Trust and Grief Encounter. She has also been involved in the charitable sector as a Trustee of the Longford Trust.

Hannah Billington said: ‘Kalayaan is an exceptional organisation, the steadfast champion of migrant domestic workers’ rights in the UK and a team with huge potential. I look forward to building on strong foundations, enabling the vibrant community of domestic migrant workers and the wider team.  No one in the UK should be working without rights and this includes migrant domestic workers.  Together, this is our fight and one that I’m proud to lead.’

Rita Gava said: ‘It’s been an honour and a privilege to work at Kalayaan and contribute to its growth and success. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with such a strong, resilient and inspiring community of service users; with proficient, dedicated and friendly colleagues, and with an engaged and supportive Board of Trustees. As I move on to relocate, I am happy in the knowledge that the organisation will continue to thrive in the capable hands of the new CEO. Thank you all, dear friends’.

The Chair of the Board of Trustees, Professor Virginia Mantouvalou, said:

‘Hannah will be an incredible, inspiring, strategic and thoughtful leader of Kalayaan. We are very excited that she is joining our brilliant team of staff, and are confident that she will drive forward our clear mission, which is to improve the quality of life and promote the rights of migrant domestic workers in the United Kingdom. I’d also like to sincerely thank Rita Gava who has led Kalayaan successfully for 19 years and wish her all the best for her future endeavours’.

With Hannah starting her role as Kalayaan’s CEO in March 2025, we are also delighted to announce that we have appointed Bethany Brady as Interim CEO of the organisation. Bethany has a wealth of experience in leadership positions in organisations working on issues of global health, social justice and equality. We are confident that Bethany, who is an exceptional leader with much experience in the charitable sector, will safely and competently lead Kalayaan during this transition period.

Bethany Brady said: ‘I am both honoured and excited to be joining Kalayaan at this pivotal time in its journey. The organisation’s essential work empowering migrant domestic workers is something I deeply admire, and I am fully committed to advancing its mission. As Interim CEO, I look forward to collaborating closely with the team to ensure a seamless transition, enhance the vital services Kalayaan provides, and continue to drive meaningful change for the rights and dignity of migrant workers, especially during this important period of growth and transformation’.