MAG has appointed Darren Cormack, the organization's Strategy, Government Relations and Partnerships Director, to become CEO, effective May 15. Cormack will succeed Dr. Jane Cocking, OBE, who is stepping down to pursue other opportunities in the humanitarian sector.
“I’m genuinely humbled to have been given the responsibility of leading people who perform such amazing, lifesaving work, often in the most challenging and complex circumstances,” Darren said.
“MAG is recognized as a world leader in both mine action and in arms management, and it has a powerful and influential voice to effect policy change to help us achieve our goal of a landmine free world."
Darren joined MAG in 2008, before which he worked in both the private and non-profit sectors in the UK and internationally, including in Cambodia, South Sudan, Sudan, the Philippines, and Indonesia. He started his career leading international wildlife and conservation programs before moving into humanitarian and development work.
He added: “MAG’s globally leading position is entirely down to the exceptional quality of our people, who have an utter focus on delivering positive impact and whose approach to our work is underpinned by robust humanitarian principles and a spirit of partnership and collaboration.”
“I’M GENUINELY HUMBLED TO HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADING PEOPLE WHO PERFORM SUCH AMAZING, LIFESAVING WORK, OFTEN IN THE MOST CHALLENGING AND COMPLEX CIRCUMSTANCES.”
Darren Cormack
MAG, globally headquartered in Manchester, UK, has more than doubled in size in the last three years and employs more than 5,000 people in 26 countries.
MAG is regarded as a global leader in humanitarian mine action, finding and destroying landmines, cluster munitions, and unexploded bombs in places affected by conflict. Since 1989, the organization has helped over 18 million people in 68 countries rebuild their lives and livelihoods after war.
Karen Brown, Chair of Trustees for MAG, said: “Darren’s knowledge of our sector and our work is exceptional. He enjoys trusting and long-standing relationships with our donors and partners and is held in high regard by both his colleagues and peers.
His vision for MAG is the right one: an organization that is deeply principled, bold, and, above all, utterly focused on saving and changing as many lives as it can. People in conflict-torn regions will be drastically affected by the impact of COVID-19, so Darren takes over as CEO at a critical time. He will enable MAG to fulfill its commitment to these communities.”
Ms. Brown added: “Our Board of Trustees would also like to pay tribute to Darren’s predecessor, Dr. Jane Cocking. The whole organization is indebted to her for her leadership and achievements over the last three years.”
