About us
The Himalayan Trust is an international non-profit humanitarian organisation working in the Everest region of Nepal. We work with local partners to bring quality education, safe water, and better healthcare to communities living in this remote, mountainous region of Nepal.
Sir Edmund and Louise Hillary founded the Himalayan Trust in the 1960s. Ever since then, they’ve inspired New Zealanders to give their time, money and support to help the people of Nepal through the Himalayan Trust.
A large proportion of our funding is raised by generous New Zealanders and we are also thankful for the ongoing support from the New Zealand Aid Programme.
To Sir Ed, his greatest achievement was not climbing Everest, but helping the people of Nepal.
Ed begins it all
It all began in the early 1960s when Sir Ed asked a Sherpa: “If there was anything I could do for the Sherpa people, what do you think that would be?”
The Sherpa replied: “Our children have eyes but they are blind and cannot see. We would like you to open their eyes by building a school in our village.”
This touched Sir Ed’s heart and he immediately set about building the first school in Khumjung. He went on to build schools, hospitals and health clinics across the Solukhumbu region in the foothills of Everest.
Helen Clark, Patron of the Himalayan Trust
As Patron, I am delighted that the Himalayan Trust has played a crucial role in the development of the Everest region. Since Sir Edmund Hillary founded the Himalayan Trust in the 1960s, it has touched so many lives and given choices and options to many remote mountain communities in their changing world.
Introducing the Himalayan Trust Board
As Sir Ed’s son, Peter grew up with the Himalayan Trust and the people of the organisation both in New Zealand and in Nepal. He is honoured to serve as board chair, working to continue to deliver support to our programmes in Nepal.
Peter brings a wealth of experience in governance and philanthropy to the Trust, as well as important connections with INGOs across the world.
Mike Gill is a founding member of the Himalayan Trust. Mike was a close friend of Sir Ed and accompanied him on many of his adventures. He has recently written a biography of Ed, as well as the book Himalayan Hospitals about the Khunde hospital and its volunteer doctors.
Mike brings to the board his vast experience of the Solukhumbu region and its people. He also bring a wealth of historical knowledge about the Himalayan Trust and its long-term impact.
Claire’s career spans the not-for-profit and social enterprise sectors, where she has held CEO, financial director and governance roles in New Zealand and the UK. Claire has extensive experience in financial management, growth strategies and strategic planning, including scaling up organisations from local start-up to multi-site operations.
Spending three months in Nepal prior to the 2015 earthquake reinforced her passion for enabling sustainable community development.
Keri is a teacher who is passionate about education and learning. She has been involved in the Teacher Training Program in the Solukhumbu and has experience with funding proposals and implementation, risk management policies and performance monitoring. Keri is committed to community development and believes that it takes a village to raise a child. In 2016, Keri cycled from Cape Reinga to Bluff and raised over $5,000 towards the Himalayan Trust’s Nepal earthquake rebuild work.
In 1966, Dianne and her husband John became the first volunteer couple at Kunde Hospital. Since then, Diane has continued a long association with the people of the Solukhumbu with frequent return visits. She has always been a strong advocate for their educational development and welfare. Diane was also a Board member of New Zealand’s Volunteer Service Abroad and has a passion for the continuing educational work of the Himalayan Trust.
Lindsay was 13 years old when Sir Ed spoke at his Nelson school. He was inspired right then to become a doctor, take up climbing and volunteer overseas. From 1971-1974, Lindsay and wife Genevieve volunteered for the Himalayan Trust at Kunde hospital in Nepal. Since his return to New Zealand, Lindsay has worked in general practice medicine in Christchurch and for many years was a member of the Medical Committee of the Himalayan Trust.
Ken has over 20 years’ experience in organisational transformation and has worked with many not-for-profit organisations, supporting them with strategy, design and change initiatives.
Ken is also a long-time supporter of the Himalayan Trust and over the last 10 years has independently organised several physical challenges and raised over $100,000 for Nepal. Ken brings to the Board his knowledge, experience, energy and inspiration!
George holds an MBA and works in financial services. As Sir Ed’s grandson, George has enjoyed many trips to Nepal and has a deep understanding of the impact of the Himalayan Trust’s work.
George was an ambassador for the Himalayan Trust’s Summit Challenge 2020, alongside his brother Alex. He is also the ambassador for the Australian Himalayan Foundation and a board member of Quality Education Nepal.
Operations
In New Zealand we are a small operation with part-time staff.
Tim has worked in the not-for-profit sector for 30 years and brings valuable experience in fundraising, event management and corporate sponsorship to the Himalayan Trust.
Tim founded the Children’s Charity Variety Club and first met Sir Edmund Hillary when he appointed him Vice Patron of the charity. Since then Tim has followed closely the work of the Trust and is committed to honouring Sir Ed’s legacy.
Prem is responsible for overseeing Himalayan Trust’s education programme management, supporting partner organisations, liaising with development partners and government agencies, and working as Himalayan Trust New Zealand’s primary contact person in Nepal.
Prem is passionate about ensuring all children and young people have access to quality, inclusive education and health services, with a focus on child protection and gender equality. He holds an M.Phil. in Educational Leadership and Management from Kathmandu University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Youth and Child Development from ISS Hague, Netherlands, a Master of Education (Health Education) and a Bachelor of Commerce and Management from Tribhuvan University.
Jason is a Partner at HLB Mann Judd and is responsible for the Himalayan Trust accounting matters, ensuring we meet a high standard of public accountability and financial management.
OUR KEY VALUES: PEOPLE AND PARTNERSHIP
Help keep Sir Ed's legacy alive
You can help keep Sir Ed’s legacy alive. Every contribution, large or small will make a real difference to the communities in the remote Everest region.
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