Depaul International’s Group CEO, Matthew Carter, has been awarded an OBE in HM The King’s first Birthday Honours List for services to the global humanitarian sector.
The King’s Birthday Honours mark the extraordinary contributions and service of people across the UK.
Matthew joined Depaul International as CEO in September 2021, bringing with him over thirty years of experience working across the international humanitarian sector and in senior leadership positions in many of the world’s most complex humanitarian crises. Prior to joining Depaul, he spent 20 years as CAFOD’s Humanitarian Director developing their emergency response capacity working across Asia, Middle East, Africa and Central America, in countries including Bosnia, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Sri Lanka and Haiti. He led the development of CAFOD’s focus on humanitarian capacity strengthening, interfaith working and advocating for the international community to better support community and locally based organisations.
Throughout his career, Matthew has been an outspoken and strong advocate in promoting greater accountability to those people affected by crises, ensuring their protection, safeguarding and their voices are heard. He helped lead and Chair the development of international humanitarian standards: Sphere and the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and remains an External Independent Advisor to the CHS Alliance. More recently he helped to establish and Chair the global START Network, which provides humanitarian innovation, local and community level humanitarian funding. He is a Board Member at the Cabot Institute, Bristol University.
Depaul International’s Chair of Trustees Helen O’Shea said:
“We at Depaul are delighted to learn of Matthew’s OBE and we all know how richly it is deserved. His contribution to the global humanitarian sector has been immense and continues through his incredible work in leading Depaul in striving to combat homelessness.”
Speaking about his honour, Matthew said:
“I am delighted to have been named in the King’s 2023 Birthday Honours, it is a tremendous privilege. I woke up this morning to the knowledge of my OBE and thought of those I have worked with, some of whom have lost their lives in their work. I have been privileged to walk alongside exceptionally dedicated people and communities from all over the world, often in situations of extreme suffering. It is these people who have always inspired me and to try and do more. And there is much more to do, as now more than ever our response to global humanitarian crises including homelessness and displacement remains critical.”
