The Trustees of the International Nepal Fellowship UK are delighted to announce the appointment of Matthew Hanning (pictured above) as CEO of the charity with effect from 19^th May 2025.

Matthew has worked with CBM for over 20 years and is currently their Director of International Programmes. He is a man of deep faith, a servant leader with a passion for working alongside marginalised people, and brings extensive experience in development and fundraising. He has lived and worked in Jordan, Australia and Indonesia, and visited many more countries in his work for CBM, including Nepal.

Please pray for Matthew as he prepares to take up this role; for our current CEO, John Reynolds, as he manages the transition and prepares for farewells and a well-earned retirement after 28 years serving INF UK in this role; for Olly Du Croz, who will play a key role as Deputy CEO in supporting Matthew in the future; and for the rest of the INF UK staff team.

This is a period of profound change for INF UK, and we continue to pray for discernment, wisdom and understanding from the Holy Spirit throughout this period. We are excited to see the combined strengths and experience that Matthew and the rest of the staff team can contribute to the mission and work of INF UK, and give thanks to God for bringing Matthew to us.

Dr Ian Smith, Chair of the INF UK Board of Trustees

A brief introduction

Matthew has worked for CBM, the global disability inclusion charity, since 2002.

He became Director of International Programmes for CBM UK in June 2018, leading on strategy and programme development. He ensures CBM works closely with Organisations of People with Disabilities and local and international partners to deliver change in the lives of people with disabilities, focusing on disability inclusion, eye health, neglected tropical diseases, mental health, livelihoods and humanitarian work.

With over 20 years’ experience in disability inclusive development, Matthew has been passionate about working with and creating opportunities alongside people with disabilities since working at an education resource centre for Deaf and deafblind children in Jordan when he was a student.

Matthew has worked for CBM in the Middle East and Australia in various roles covering development and humanitarian programmes, local partnerships and community engagement. He was CBM’s Country Director in Indonesia from 2012-2018 where he increased the volume and quality of eye health, mental health and community-based inclusive development programmes, including significant engagement with government, local civil society and Organisations of People with Disabilities. He has a Theology degree from the University of Edinburgh and a MA in Disability and Development Studies from the University of Leeds.

Matthew is married to Aline (originally from the Netherlands), an educator of deafblind children. They live in Cambridgeshire and are actively engaged in their church, St James’ Hemingford Grey. Matthew and Aline have a passion for developing authentic relationships in church and the local community. They also love biking and occasionally making YouTube films for family and friends.