Antonio Zappulla has been appointed Chief Executive Officer by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, replacing Monique Villa who is to step down after 11 years in the position.

Antonio Zappulla said: ‘I am thrilled and excited. The Thomson Reuters Foundation is an incredible organisation that has achieved tremendous impact in the past decade under Monique’s leadership. I am keen to preserve the great legacy of her work whilst also ensuring that we continue to innovate and grow, enlisting new partners and seizing strategic opportunities along the way. I look forward to driving the next stage of the Foundation’s evolution, and its focus on human rights.’

Antonio is currently chief operating officer of the foundation and will take up his new role when Monique leaves in April 2019. Antonio joined the Thomson Reuters Foundation six years ago from Bloomberg Television where he was Executive Producer. In 2014 he was promoted from Director of Communications to Director of Strategy and Communications, and appointed COO in 2016 overseeing Communications, Development and Monitoring and Evaluation.

Jim Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Thomson Reuters, said: “Monique’s stellar leadership, flair, passion and focus have transformed the Thomson Reuters Foundation into a world-renowned human rights organisation. She has created so much impact that has left a lasting legacy. Whilst she will be very much missed, there is no better-placed successor than Antonio Zappulla, whose drive, commitment and creative mind have been demonstrated as COO. I look forward to the next exciting phase for the Foundation, and to seeing the success of its ever-expanding work.”

Under Monique’s leadership, the Foundation has launched a number of programmes; most notably TrustLaw, the Foundation’s global pro bono legal programme which has generated over $134 million in free legal support to NGOs and social enterprises globally, Trust Conference, the world’s leading anti-slavery and human rights forum held annually in London, and the Stop Slavery Award. She has also built an award-winning team of  journalists covering the world’s under-reported stories, as well as a media development teamf ocused both on strengthening free media globally and world-class journalism training.

Monique will stay closely associated with Thomson Reuters and become Special Advisor to the President and CEO of Thomson Reuters.