Simon Collings is chief operations officer at the Global Village Energy Partnership (GVEP) International, a UK-based charity that seeks to reduce poverty through access to modern energy services.

He joined in early 2009 after leaving his role as chief executive of the Resource Alliance, which helps voluntary sector leaders worldwide acquire the tools to build the financial sustainability of civil society. Previously he spent 16 years working at Oxfam, firstly in communications, media and campaigns and then as fundraising director. He helped set up Oxfam’s resource mobilisation programme in Brazil.

An Oxford graduate, Simon began his working life in publishing and journalism and was a member of the national executive of the National Union of Journalists for five years.