Our staff

Aleema Shivji, Executive Director

Aleema is responsible for Humanity & Inclusion in the UK, leading a dynamic team to deliver an ambitious UK strategy aligned with our vision and values. She is also the lead for strategic partnerships for the wider HI Network.

She has 20 years of professional experience, including 15 years in international development and humanitarian assistance. Aleema is particularly specialised in the inclusion of disabled and vulnerable people in humanitarian emergencies. Originally a qualified physiotherapist, since 2005 Aleema has worked with HI across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. Her last position before joining HIUK in 2012 was head of mission for our post-earthquake programme in Haiti.

Before working for HI, Aleema worked with BRAC in Bangladesh and as a physiotherapist in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. In addition to her physiotherapy qualification Aleema holds a Masters in Conflict, Security and Development. She is also a Trustee at the University of Sussex, a member of the BBC Appeals Advisory Committee and, until recently, was a Trustee of the Start Network.

Polly Arscott, Head of Institutional Relations

Polly joined Humanity & Inclusion UK as Head of Institutional Relations in April 2019, and leads institutional fundraising and influencing for the organisation. Before joining HI UK, Polly worked at a number of other international development and humanitarian agencies, including Action Against Hunger UK, WaterAid, Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO), and Interact Worldwide.

Polly has lived and worked in Sierra Leone, in the Caribbean, and in South Africa, where she also worked with national NGO the Legal Resources Centre. She has a particular interest in supporting country offices and local partners in the global South to access greater funding, investment and influence and has worked on a wide range of issues from WASH, to nutrition, sexual and reproductive health and human rights.

Jane Morris, Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy

Jane has been Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy since May 2016, with a remit to build a successful Major Giving Programme for Humanity & Inclusion UK – growing a sustainable stream of income from Major Donors, Trusts & Foundations and Corporates.

Jane has more than twenty years of fundraising experience in the charity sector, almost ten of which she spent at The Prince’s Trust. She has worked in a variety of fundraising roles, leading different teams in Corporate, Events and Individuals. As Head of Adventure Challenge at The Prince’s Trust Jane led and took part in fundraising challenges around the world – cycling, trekking, climbing, kayaking and rafting in Borneo, Costa Rica, the Sahara, the Himalayas and the Arctic - as well as running the New York and London marathons whilst working for her first charity, Save The Rhino.

In a 'previous life' Jane taught English overseas, travelling round the world and living in Spain. Jane also speaks Spanish, French, Italian to varying levels of ability. On top of the day job, Jane is qualified as a Yoga Teacher with a BWY Diploma, and is a Trustee for Neuroblastoma UK, a childhood cancer charity.

Vikki Furse, Head of Individual Giving and Communication

Vikki has been the Head of Individual Giving and Communication at Humanity & Inclusion UK for 2 years. Her role includes managing our 5 excellent team members who develop relationships with our existing donors and supporters, increasing the number of regular givers, and developing our external and internal communications. Since joining HI UK, she has worked with the team to improve our fundraising strategy, yielding excellent results whilst introducing new forms of fundraising.

Vikki has been working in the non-profit sector for 15 years. Initially agency side, Vikki had the pleasure to work with most of the worlds leading NGOs and provide consultation on phone, mail, digital and face-to-face fundraising in the UK, Europe and Australia.  During this time Vikki co-founded and ran EverGiving, a digital fundraising platform which has revolutionised the sector.

Paula Hillman, Head of Finance & Resources

Paula joined Humanity & Inclusion UK in January 2020 as the Head of Finance and Resources following a 30-year career in finance.

After the first 10 years of her career in retail, she decided to move into the not-for-profit sector, inspired by a desire to help people by raising the standard of finance and reporting in charities to enable charities to run more efficiently. She has experience of working in various charity sectors including Education, Healthcare, Homelessness, and Disability where she has driven through much change and improvement.

At Humanity & Inclusion UK, Paula is responsible for delivering and improving effective financial, operational systems, processes and reporting.