Tim joins from the NSPCC, where he has been interim director of income generation since April 2025. Previously he was director of private sector partnerships and fundraising at the UN World Food Programme based in Rome. At WFP, he led the creation of a global digital individual giving programme to support humanitarian action around the world. Prior to that, Tim was director of fundraising at Oxfam GB, and before that spent five years in Geneva as international fundraising director at UNICEF.
Before his international experience, Tim worked extensively in the UK non-profit sector including at Shelter and the NSPCC, helping to lead the iconic FULL STOP campaign.
A great value to our charity
Campbell Robb, our chief executive, said: “I’m delighted that Tim will be joining the Trust. His wealth of experience will be of great value as our charity continues to appeal to the public to support our incredible 250-year-old canal network.
“Our canals already bring so many benefits to the nation, bringing wildlife into the heart of our cities and improving biodiversity across nature-depleted landscapes, providing free-to-access green spaces where they’re needed most, and preserving our living heritage for the thousands of boaters and millions of visitors who spend time on our canals every day. But, with the right support, our charity could do so much more. We have ambitious plans for fundraising, and we believe that our supporters have a huge role to play in keeping this precious network thriving for generations to come.
“My thanks go to Maggie Gardner, who laid the ground for our new fundraising strategy and the remarkable transformation of fundraising over the last three years. I wish her all the best for the future.”
Preserving our incredible heritage
Tim Hunter said: “I am delighted to be joining the Canal & River Trust in February 2026 as their interim fundraising director. The work of the Trust is so important; preserving our incredible heritage, supporting important places for boating and nature, and providing unique spaces for all of us to enjoy and focus on our wellbeing. I’m looking forward to working with the Trust team, learning from them about this important work, and building on the great work of Maggie Gardner and the dedicated fundraising team.”
