Board of Trustees


Global Acts of Unity's Board of Trustees span multiple sectors, comprising of religious leaders, to seasoned communications professionals, young ambassadors to chartered accountants. Although diverse in background and skillset, our trustees share a common goal: to promote unity and tackle hatred at its core.


1

Chair of Trustees

Giles

Giles is a Director of two companies and, in a career that is now longer than he cares to think, has worked for a number of clients across a number of disciplines. Along the way he has advised national figures and local community organisations. He was honoured to be asked by Mike to be the first Chair of Global Acts of Unity CIO and is delighted to support Mike and the team achieve GAU’s mission. Away from ‘the desk’ Giles finds his time taken up by his family and loves watching his children play sport. When he is allowed a break from that he is an enthusiastic sailor, skippering a boat in RORC’s offshore Fastnet 2023 race, the 50th edition of the race. 

2

Founder

Mike

Mike Haines is the Founder of Global Acts of Unity. Mike set up GAU after his brother David, a humanitarian aid worker, was taken captive and brutally murdered by Daesh in September 2014 in Syria. In the aftermath of his brother’s death, Mike felt strongly that he did not want innocent Muslims to be blamed or victimised in his name and so he made an emotional national television appeal for unity and tolerance.

Since that tragic event, Mike has devoted his life to spreading this message of togetherness through his Global Acts of Unity campaign to people of all backgrounds, faiths and religions.

Mike’s emotional journey has seen him meet people from a wide variety of countries, communities, backgrounds and religions including his Holiness Pope Francis, French President Francois Hollande and former British Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May. However, it is working with young people that inspires him most and makes his schools work such a powerful story worth documenting.

3

Education Lead

Georgia

Georgia is the Education Lead at Global Acts of Unity, liaising with and building relationships with schools and education institutions across the country to organise the logistics and arrangements of Mike’s regular tours. Her background is in social-impact communications, now specialising in climate change as she works for an environmental agency working with brands to become more sustainable. Georgia is also an avid dancer so you’ll likely find her in most of London’s dance studios. 

4

Communications Lead

Harry

Harry works on development communications campaigns, and has experience managing projects across Africa and the Middle East. As a Trustee, Harry leads on GAU’s communications strategy and partnerships. With a keen interest in sport, Harry is also a freelance journalist and has been published in various national newspapers responding to the trials and tribulations of Newcastle United. Outside of work, Harry is a Young Advisor to the UN in its Sports for Development programs, and will happily chew your ear off about sport’s power to enact positive change!

5

Treasurer

Kasia

Kasia is originally from Poland and has lived in the UK for over nine years now. She has qualified as a chartered accountant at PwC and currently works in a boutique investment bank within Corporate Finance. As Treasurer, Kasia focuses on the financial wellbeing of GAU. When not working, K has an interest in fashion, enjoys cooking, reading and has recently taken up agility with her dog – Vinci.