Kate Allen has led Amnesty International UK for 21 years. Allen has consolidated Amnesty’s presence in London, increased participation of children and young people and generally augmented the charity’s scale and influence across the UK. Her role has spanned campaigning with activists and influencing politicians – and she has been equally adept at working in each. In Amnesty, Allen has particularly focused on democratising the movement by rebalancing resources in favour of the global South. Having previously served as deputy CEO of the Refugee Council, heading evacuation missions from Bosnia and Kosovo, she is a champion of refugee rights and has led Amnesty’s work abroad and in the UK challenging misconceptions and legal frameworks. Allen has also spent some time in government: she was seconded in 1998 to work on the 1999 Asylum and Immigration Act. After announcing her retirement in March 2021, delayed due to her concern that the pandemic might destabilise the charity, Amnesty’s UK board described Allen as: “known and respected across the global movement for her integrity, quiet strength and courage”.
