6 March 2023
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) is delighted to announce the appointment of Richard Burden as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees. He will take over from Interim Chair Sarah Eldon on 17 April.
Richard was the Member of Parliament for Birmingham Northfield for more than 25 years (1992-2019), during which time he Chaired the Britain-Palestine All Party Parliamentary Group (2001-2019) and visited the occupied Palestinian territory a number of times including with MAP and the Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu).
As a member of the House of Commons International Development Committee (2005-2013, 2017-2019), he scrutinised UK aid performance, including towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and worked on key humanitarian and human rights issues such as the Rohingya refugee crisis and the war in Yemen. Richard was also a driving force behind the House of Commons’ 2014 resolution to recognise the State of Palestine, and has been Vice Chair of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East since 2009.
Since leaving parliament, Richard has been a trustee of Birmingham Citizens Advice and the Balfour Project, and Chair of Healthwatch Birmingham and Healthwatch Solihull, helping scrutinise health and social care provision, working to reduce health inequalities, and advocating for patients and the public. Formerly, Richard attained a BA (Hons) in Politics from the University of York, and an MA in Industrial Relations from Warwick University, and worked as a trade union officer with NALGO (now UNISON). He now lives in Birmingham with his partner and two stepsons.
Richard Burden said: “Having worked closely with Medical Aid for Palestinians for many years, it is great to be joining the charity as its new Chair.”
“Whether responding to humanitarian emergencies or supporting the sustainable development of hospital and community healthcare services, I have seen for myself the real impact MAP makes on the lives of Palestinians under occupation and blockade in the West Bank and Gaza, and on those living as refugees in Lebanon. That work is made all the more powerful by the priority MAP gives to challenging oppression and discrimination experienced daily by Palestinians that are at the root causes of health needs, and to uplifting Palestinian voices themselves to be heard.”
“This work never been more important, and it will be a real privilege for me to lead the MAP Board in the months and years ahead.”
MAP CEO Melanie Ward said: “We are delighted that Richard will be joining as the new Chair of our Board. He brings a wealth of experience to the role, and a deep knowledge of the humanitarian and human rights challenges facing Palestinians; of UK foreign and development policy; and of charity governance that is highly relevant to our work. Alongside our President, Baroness Morris of Bolton, Richard’s cross-Party relationships in Westminster will be a real benefit.”
“I look forward to working with him to ensure that MAP and our partners are providing the very best quality healthcare services and support to the communities we serve, in pursuit of a future where all Palestinians can enjoy their rights to health and dignity.”
MAP would like to express its sincerest thanks and appreciation to Sarah Eldon for her leadership and diligence as Interim Chair of the Board for the past year. Sarah will continue as a Vice Chair of the MAP Board, alongside Shireen Jayyusi.