Dr Balwant Singh has has more than 30 years’ experience of leading philanthropic, development and humanitarian organisations and initiatives. He has worked in more than 25 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, North and Central America, and the former Soviet Union, and lived in Singapore, the UK, Vietnam, North Iraq, Russia, Sweden, the US, India, Ireland and Switzerland.
His expertise includes organisational leadership and development, strategy, governance, diversity, grant-making, impact and initiatives focused on health, HIV/AIDS, education, human rights and humanitarian response. Originally trained as a physician, he holds an MBA with top honours and a postgraduate diploma in health services management.
Leadership roles Balwant has held include Executive Director of Sphere until September 2023 and CEO of Kusuma Trust UK, a philanthropic foundation, for eight years. Earlier roles include Global Director of Innovations for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health across Africa and Asia funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Regional Director for South & Central Asia with Save the Children and Executive Director of Doctors of the World in New York.
Balwant serves as Board trustee at Oxfam Great Britain, Advisory Board member at Dialogue Action and Centre Executive Committee member at CHL. He continues to advise, facilitate and mentor on leadership, strategy, international development, humanitarian programmes, philanthropy, governance and diversity. He is passionate about social justice, volunteers with various organisations and loves cooking, photography and travel.
