Bill Leeson

Who is Bill Leeson?

William Edward "Bill" Gregory-Leeson 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, Bill Leeson and David Wilson produced a documentary film featuring the most tragic victims of the war in former Yugoslavia: the children. What they saw so deeply shocked them that they established War Child, which today is a network of independent NGOs operating across the world to help children affected by war.

In early 1999 Bill stepped down as CEO as a result of a disagreement about whether the charity should have accepted funds from a Bosnian contractor some years earlier. Later that year Bill left War Child due to unreconcilable differences with the trustee board of that time, many of whom resigned shortly thereafter. Bill and the current War Child management & board enjoy a good relationship, with Bill invited to advise War Child and attend its 15th anniversary celebrations for the 'Help' CD in 2010.

Today Bill Leeson is one of the founders and directors of GardenAfrica; a charitable organization set up in 2002 to support African families through a range of garden-related initiatives. The project seeks to transform derelict land adjacent to schools, hospitals, and clinics in African communities to help provide food security, health and nutrition, education and training, and sustainable livelihoods.