An expert in helping the homeless and underprivileged has been appointed as the new head of the International Seafarer Welfare Assistance Network (ISWAN).

Simon Grainge has been appointed chief executive of the London-based organisation. He succeeds Roger Harris, who is retiring after having led ISWAN since its formation in 2013 when it grew out of its predecessor, the International Committee on Seafarers’ Welfare.

“Recent events have shown just how important the work of ISWAN is,” Grainge said in a statement. "I am really looking forward to the challenges that leading such a respected organisation will bring."

Grainge has been chief executive of Emmaus UK since November 2015 and was chief operating officer for three years before that.

Emmaus is a federation of 33 communities across the UK that supports more than 850 formerly homeless people with shelter and meaningful work and training.

At Emmaus, Grainge represented and advocated for its members with government bodies and the Charity Commission. ISWAN said he was also responsible for managing relationships with donors and the delivery of a federation-wide strategic plan.

He increased fundraising income and maintained financial sustainability throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Grainge previously worked for Voluntary Service Overseas and Handicap International. He is also a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

ISWAN has seen its profile rise significantly over the past few years as a result of greater attention on seafarer welfare due to the increased transparency and companies' growing concern about environmental, social and governance issues.

The network runs a free, round-the-clock multi-lingual helpline — SeafarerHelp — that provides relief funds for seafarers and their families, and works for the implementation of the ILO's Maritime Labour Convention.

ISWAN's main funding comes from the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, the TK Foundation, the Seafarers’ Charity and Trafigura Foundation.