During Paul Anticoni's 10 years as World Jewish Relief chief executive, it is estimated that the charity has helped 700,000 people across the globe.

But he is convinced that emergency aid could be improved, saying: "We're not fast enough or good enough when responding to disasters.

"I've always had this image of an international Jewish fire brigade. We've got so much expertise in our community. I've got plans which you'll hear more about over the coming year."

Occasionally hammering on the table to emphasise a point, Mr Anticoni said that although satisfied by the numbers assisted under his watch, "I'm still annoyed. Why didn't we help a million? That's what my mother would say."

A shy personality who has "never liked public speaking", he joined WJR after heading the Red Cross's disaster operations for 10 years.

Why didn't we help a million? That's what my mother would say

"Having spent much of my working life in horrible parts of the world dealing with humanitarian needs that were unimaginable, I was a bit sceptical about Jewish needs in the former Soviet Union," he recalled.

"At the time, I thought the job was not going to be big enough, busy enough or ambitious enough to keep me satiated." He was soon proved wrong.

After helping to launch and expand projects in Eastern Europe, Nepal, Rwanda and, more recently, supporting Syrian refugees, his attitude has shifted radically. "When I see houses repaired and warmed, clients living beyond their typical life expectancy, green shoots of a Jewish community in Krakow, or people calling WJR off the hook to help refugees - that gets me excited.

"By 2020, every Jewish family should know about us at least." And he wants that awareness to extend into the wider world.

"We tend to not want to stick our heads above the parapet outside the community. Let's start shouting about it.

"I'm proud and I want the British community to know what we do. I want the government to be proud of a Jewish community which is supporting communities in Rwanda and Ukraine."

He is also eager to involve the next generation, citing a bar/batmitzvah trip to Moldova next year to see its work in action. "I think we can do much more to engage young people in what we do. But I'm excited that there is a growing group of young people who like that we are proud about working in other countries."

So involved is he in WJR that "my work colleagues, chairman and donors are my friends.

"Everyone laughs at me for getting emotional about old people who need help," he added, smiling.

"I can't imagine life outside of World Jewish Relief."