European Disaster Volunteers

These talented individuals lead EDV’s activities at home and abroad in line with our Mission Statement and Operating Principles. We look forward to adding talented individuals to this section as our team grows in the coming years.  

Executive Director: Andrew Chaggar

Andy holds a Master’s degree in Social Development Policy and Management. He gained a distinction for the programme and was awarded the Andrew Lochhead Prize for Development Studies. His Masters dissertation, which focused on community based housing reconstruction following disasters, was widely praised and he received offers to publish.

In addition to his academic background Andy has years of experience in three disaster zones managing thousands of volunteers and is a survivor of the 2004 Asian tsunami. Andy’s unique blend of personal, professional, and academic experiences make him the ideal leader of EDV operations both at home and abroad.

In addition to the awards he received for his Master’s degree, Andy has also been awarded the prestigious Vodafone International World of Difference Award.

Media and Marketing Director: Emma Taylor

Emma Taylor began working in disaster response directly out of University. She has since worked in two disaster zones and helped manage almost 500 volunteers. In her role for EDV, she puts her writing degree to work managing EDV’s website and communications, as well as helping manage overseas operations.

In 2011, Emma was featured as a member of the Change Generation by Fast Company and as an example of a self-incubated social entrepreneur by the Huffington Post.

Volunteer Resource Director: Sarah Hughes

Sarah has a business studies degree and has worked in various HR departments for ten years. During her career, she has filled positions in the private, public and not for profit sectors. She is currently employed as an HR Officer with the Planning Inspectorate. In adition to her year’s of experience, Sarah is CIPD qualified and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management.

Sarah’s experience in volunteering in three disaster zones combined with her extensive experience of recruitment, policy writing, employee relations issues, and health and safety, make her a key EDV team member.

Ben Smith: Non-Executive Director

Ben has worked closely with the voluntary sector for the last five years as a contracts manager for the local NHS Primary Care Trust and as a Policy Development Officer for Voluntary Action Leicestershire. He currently provides support to health and social care focused VCS organisations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Ben’s extensive experience guiding charities of all types is a great asset to EDV.

Elizabeth Price: Non-Executive Director

Elizabeth’s interest in EDV started when she left her job as a political researcher for the then Leader of the Liberal Democrats, the Rt. Hon Charles Kennedy MP and volunteered in Thailand. After Thailand, she spent three years running an animal welfare charity for the British Veterinary Association.

She now works as a project manager for the International Institute for Environment and Development based in London and, in June 2012, she attended Rio+20. Elizabeth’s far-reaching experiences in the third and public sector serve her well as an EDV trustee.