Hewitt joins at a key juncture for the charity, which is preparing up for a year of campaigning against global poverty during the UK’s combined presidency of the EU and G8.
Hewitt said that since health, education and HIV are priorities for the G8 and the new Commission for Africa the UK was in ‘a unique position’ next year.
The charity plans to use this opportunity to raise awareness about the suffering of African children in troublespots such as Sudan, working alongside charities such as Oxfam and Christian Aid.
It will lobby G8 governments and use human interest stories to target the mass media during key events, such as the Commission’s report in April, the G8 meeting in July and the UK’s presidency of the EU from July to December.
From next week, Hewitt will lead the charity’s nine-strong internal comms team which comprises three senior media officers, four press officers, an assistant media officer and an administrator.
He replaces Alero Harrison, who starts her new job as media relations manager at the Healthcare Commission next week.
