William Edward Gregory-Leeson
(born 13 October 1943) is an English filmmaker who was one of the founders of the charity
War Child, which particularly focuses on help for children in war situations.
In 1993 Leeson and Wilson met when Leeson was producing an arts documentary on Croatian national artist Ivan Rabuzin directed Laurance Boulting, exposing them to the unfolding stages of the war in former Yugoslavia. What they saw so deeply shocked them that they established War Child, which today is a network of independent
non-governmental organisation
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an independent, typically nonprofit organization that operates outside government control, though it may get a significant percentage of its funding from government or corporate sources. NGOs often focus ...
s (NGOs) operating across the world to help children affected by war.
In early 1999, Leeson stepped down as CEO to prevent the organization being dragged into accusations of corruption. The UK charity commission later found no basis for these accusations, in response to which its board at that time was forced to step down. Leeson and others implicated chose not to pursue compensation that risked further financial or reputational damage to War Child. Today, Leeson and the current War Child management and board enjoy a good relationship, with Leeson invited to advise War Child as it goes from strength to strength.
Collaborating with others from War Child, Leeson later co-founded GardenAfrica (2002-2022), an organisation dedicated to supporting traditional knowledge for food and medicinal plant production - working with civil society organisations and community groups to reclaim knowledge and transform derelict land adjacent to schools, hospitals, and clinics for the collective production of nutrient-dense foods.
References
External links
GardenAfrica
— Bill Leeson, the outspoken co-founder of one of Great Britain's most high-profile charities, believes that you can do good works without being a do-gooder: "I am a deal maker. I make deals to get my story out."
Man of the Year 2000 Award
— The MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD is presented to men who through their extraordinary achievements have contributed to a better world. The film-makers Bill Leeson and David Wilson have, with War Child, created a platform to aid the most innocent victims of war.
Launch party for UK charity GardenAfrica
— The original Pleasure Gardens at Highgate's Lauderdale House was brought to life as a launch party for UK charity GardenAfrica.
BBC report on corruption scandalGuardian report on corruption scandalWar Child response to Guardian report on corruption scandal
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leeson, Bill
1943 births
Living people
English documentary filmmakers
People from Salford