Dr. Gareth Wood MBE
Garreth Wood became chair of The Wood Foundation in 2025, continuing the family’s commitment to active, purposeful philanthropy.
He brings significant experience from his wider charitable work, including co-founding Kids Operating Room with Nicola Wood. Their work to improve access to children’s surgery internationally was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours, with both receiving MBEs.
“It is an honour to follow in my father’s footsteps as Chairman of The Wood Foundation. I am inspired by the incredible legacy he has created and look forward to continuing the Foundation’s work to empower communities and create sustainable opportunities for those we serve.”
A change maker at heart
In January 2025, Garreth became the Chairman of The Wood Foundation. With a steadfast commitment to making the world a better place, Garreth has dedicated his life to advancing the transformative mission of not only Kids Operating Room, the charity he founded with his wife Nicci, but now The Wood Foundation too.
A change maker at heart, Garreth hopes to now bring his passion for transformative impact to The Wood Foundation; one of the UK’s leading philanthropic organisations.
Continuing his family's legacy
As Chairman of The Wood Foundation, Garreth is devoted to continuing and expanding his father Sir Ian’s remarkable legacy. The Wood Foundation focuses on driving sustainable economic growth, empowering communities, and investing in education to create opportunities for young people to thrive. Under his leadership, the foundation remains committed to fostering impactful and sustainable change that uplifts individuals and strengthens communities both in the UK and across Sub Saharan Africa.
Global impact through KidsOR
Garreth is also Chairman of Kids Operating Room, an international NGO he co-founded in 2018. KidsOR has revolutionised access to healthcare for children in low-resource settings, now enabling over 250,000 life-changing surgeries on children each year.
By building over 100 state-of-the-art paediatric operating rooms, across 4 continents and almost 40 countries, Kids Operating Room is breaking cycles of poverty and unlocking the potential of children around the globe.
A lifelong commitment to lasting change
Garreth’s dual leadership roles are a testament to his lifelong commitment to meaningful, sustainable change. Whether creating opportunities through enterprise and education with The Wood Foundation or transforming healthcare access through KidsOR, his work reflects an unwavering belief in the power of collaboration and innovation to uplift individuals and communities.
Garreth is also an active member of the Giving Pledge’s Next Generation Group, was awarded a ‘Point of Light’ by Prime Minister Boris Johnston in 2019 and was the recipient of the Wallace Award in New York in 2023.
Life beyond the Foundation
Away from his professional responsibilities, Garreth is a devoted husband to Nicci and a proud father to their two daughters, Ezra and Coren. As a family, they enjoy traveling together, skiing, ranch holidays, car rallies, golf and staying active. Garreth just completed his second New York Marathon – a testament to his determination and drive in all aspects of life.
Meet our other Trustees
The Wood Foundation is guided by a Board of Trustees who bring experience across business, education, philanthropy and community impact.
Together, they help shape the Foundation’s direction and ensure its work stays focused on creating lasting value.
Related articles
TWF Trustee Garreth Wood judges Craigroyston YPI final
11 Dec 2018