Malaria Consortium Appoints New Chief Executive

Malaria Consortium is pleased to announce that Charles Nelson has joined the organisation in its 10th anniversary year as Chief Executive, bringing with him over 30 years of leadership and business experience in health care and operations management around the world.

In announcing the appointment, Malaria Consortium Chair Dr Julian Lob-Levyt and Technical Director Dr Sylvia Meek said: “We are delighted to welcome Charles to the organisation. We believe he is the ideal person to join us at this stage in our history. He brings great insight and drive and will lead Malaria Consortium through its next stage of development, as we respond to the emerging global health agenda in the years beyond the current Millennium Development Goals. We are excited about the opportunities this will create in driving integration, innovation and impact.”

Commenting on his appointment, Charles said: “I’m delighted to be joining Malaria Consortium at such a significant point in its history and a crucial time in the negotiation of the future global health agenda. As a leading global agency working in malaria, neglected tropical diseases and child health, Malaria Consortium can point to some impressive achievements in disease control, increased effectiveness of intervention and improved health system access. I look forward to building on these achievements and contributing to realising the commitment to equity and universal access to healthcare for the poorest and most vulnerable.”

Charles was previously International Director at Merlin (Medical Emergency Relief International) overseeing the delivery of health and nutrition-focused emergency relief and longer term programmes in 16 countries worldwide. Before working in international development, Charles gained extensive experience in international business leadership and strategic development, with a particular focus on healthcare systems and organisations, including supporting change in and across the UK National Health Service, working extensively on governance and evidence-based decision-making. Before that, Charles was Global Head of Strategy and Markets’ Development for Mercer’s Health and Benefits’ business (part of the Marsh McClennan Corporation – MMC) working with major corporations and Government agencies around the world, launching and supporting emerging businesses particularly focused on health care financing and system integration. He was also responsible for the operational leadership of the UK and Ireland businesses and led the healthcare segment for Mercer on their joint work with the World Economic Forum on ‘Financing Retirement and Healthcare in a Rapidly Ageing World’.

Charles spent 7 years with McKinsey, the global strategy consulting firm working with major corporations and government agencies around the world, primarily on health systems, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. A scientist by training, he began his career with 14 years’ experience working in operational and logistics roles with, among others, L’Oreal, GlaxoSmithkline, Northern Foods and Nabisco, including the manufacturing and distribution of medical and food products.