Geoff Warne - TLM Hero

Inspired by a meeting with a missionary more than 40 years ago, Geoff and Karen Warne joined the Mission in 1981. They travelled first to Nepal, where Geoff, who trained as an accountant, took a post as a regional finance manager.

The couple’s three children were born in Nepal and in 1983, the family moved to London where Geoff became Finance Director of The Leprosy Mission.

They returned to New Zealand in 1989 for the children to complete their education. Geoff took up the role of The Leprosy Mission New Zealand Chair. Then, when the General Director retired in 2004, Geoff took over at The Leprosy Mission International, where he stayed until 2016. During his time as General Director, Geoff was instrumental in coordinating the drawing-up and signing of the Global Fellowship charter. This was a pivotal and game-changing moment in the history of The Leprosy Mission, paving the way for a partnership of equal Members between our country offices and redressing the historical imbalances of north-south power dynamics.

A talented pianist with a passion for playing the organ, Geoff is also respected across the Mission for his writing, and his ability to hear many views, read many reports, and quickly capture everything in perfect summary. Geoff is currently the CEO of ILEP, the umbrella organisation for leprosy NGOs across the world.