Meet the Trustees

Clare Maxwell-Hudson

Clare Maxwell-Hudson is a best-selling author and charity fundraiser. She has been a long-time supporter of Idries Shah’s work, and was a trustee of Afghan Relief and the Institute of Cultural Research. She has served on the board of the Idries Shah Foundation since it was founded in 2013.

Saira Shah

Saira Shah is the eldest of Idries Shah’s three children. She has had a long career as an author and documentary film-maker, whose films have garnered multiple awards, including five Emmys, two BAFTAs and three Royal Television Society awards.
Since Idries Shah’s death in 1996, she has been dedicated to keeping his ideas and work available as widely as possible.

Dan Whitaker

Dan Whitaker is an economist who has worked for over 25 years on projects in developing countries, mainly in health and education. Clients have included the World Health Organization, various other UN agencies, the UK and German governments and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Most of this work in recent years has centered on African and Middle Eastern countries. In the UK he has served as a public governor for UCL Hospital. He has been a Trustee of ISF since early 2023.

In March, we were sad to say goodbye to Elizabeth Dilly, who joined the board in 2022 and for two years gave her indefatigable enthusiasm, positivity and professionalism. The trustees would like to take this opportunity to thank her profusely for her support.