Our People
Meet the team members working to implement our vision - and the trustees who meet regularly to oversee the charity’s vision, mission, and strategic direction.
Our Team
Camilla Knox-Peebles
Chief Executive
"Amref does amazing work in places where health systems are strained or under-resourced: strengthening services, but also increasing demand for and access to those services. What really speaks to me is the way Amref works in partnership with communities to find innovative, sustainable solutions to preventing and treating disease and ill health. The organisation knows that it’s at community level that real and lasting change happens - and that’s a conviction I share. I am also very proud to lead a truly African organisation."
Matt Wenham
Director of Fundraising
"Amref, as an Africa-led, people-centred INGO has an incredible track record in bringing health education and services to underserved communities across the continent. I feel privileged to join such an impactful organisation and excited to bring my experience and expertise in support of our ambitious goal to achieve universal health coverage by 2030."
Dr Aneesa Ahmed
Head of Programmes & Strategic Partnerships
"I was attracted to Amref Health Africa because of the amazing work the organisation is doing in improving people's health and having a lasting impact. I feel incredibly privileged to work for such a unique charity - one that is truly Africa-led and works alongside communities and governments to strengthen healthcare systems in a sustainable way. My role allows me to combine my healthcare and research background in the best possible way to contribute towards meaningful change. Not to mention all the wonderful people I work with, both in the UK and international offices!"
Helen Blake
Head of Finance
"I feel very privileged to work for Amref Health Africa, an organisation that is community-led, empowering those communities to strengthen health systems and achieve sustainable change. I have a not-for-profit Finance background and I am proud to bring my experience and expertise to support this incredible African-led organisation."
Alice Mabey
Executive Assistant
"I grew up in the MRC compound in West Africa due to my dad’s work in International Health and Development. As a result of this, I have always had an interest in international development, particularly with regard to the issues faced by Women in Africa; one of the core focuses of Amref UK’s work."
Kate Burley
HR and Operations Manager
"I feel very fortunate to work with such inspirational and knowledgeable colleagues, in an organisation that has a proven track-record in putting local communities at the centre of their decision-making. As Amref Health Africa continues in its ambition to create lasting health change in Africa, I look forward to drawing on my experience from the corporate and voluntary sectors to support HR practice and talent development across our UK and global teams".
Eric Siu
Senior Finance Officer
"I feel hugely privileged to be working for Amref Health Africa, a charity which promotes such positive change. With projects in multiple countries across the continent, I became inspired in bringing my knowledge and experience from having worked in Finance roles previously and from the volunteering roles I participated in, the opportunity to work as Finance Officer for Amref Health Africa became the ideal opportunity to combine the two and contribute to the difference being made."
Berna Umutoni
Programmes & Partnerships Manager
"Amref's people-centered approach to Africa's development is truly inspiring. By empowering local communities, especially women and girls, to find solutions to their challenges, Amref elevates the voices of the marginalized. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to make a contribution to this effort."
Emmanuel Sengoga
Programmes Finance Specialist
"Working in the charity sector has given me an incredibly diverse opportunity to learn, contribute and be part of changing people's lives for the better. I like what Amref Health Africa is doing, especially with providing medical care to women and girls in East Africa. In my role I work alongside an inspiring and gifted team who are motivated by humanitarian values."
Sumara Amir Khan
Senior Programmes and Partnerships Officer
"With a background in international development, I joined Amref because of its steadfast dedication to transforming health and well-being in Africa through sustainable, community-driven solutions. Amref's vision of creating enduring health improvements resonates deeply with my commitment to making a significant and meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most. Being part of a diverse and passionate team allows me to contribute to impactful projects and programmes that tackle critical health challenges and foster positive, lasting change."
Ellen Gamble
Senior Programmes and Partnerships Officer
"I've always been aware of Amref UK's amazing work providing vital health programmes in Africa. One of the main things that attracted me to work for Amref is that it is an African led organisation and bases its programmatic decisions on the needs of the community which is significant to bring about lasting health change in Africa. I’m happy that through my role I can contribute to achieving Amref’s vision where everyone has access to high quality and affordable healthcare."
Isobel Spaven-Donn
Communications Manager
“Amref’s belief in the power of communities, and the way that it partners them across Africa, is changing the way that people claim their right to good health. It's the most powerful story of change that you can tell. I’m passionate about working with the diverse voices that own these stories, to use communications to showcase the transformative power of good health to ensure more sustainable impact of the amazing work being done by and with communities.”
Caroline Swaker
Fundraising Manager
"I am delighted to join Amref Health Africa as it is such an impactful organisation. Learning more about how Amref increases access to primary healthcare and the aim of achieving universal coverage is inspiring. Its focus on ethical representation of the people it supports is incredibly important and I am pleased to further this in fundraising. Being Africa-led means this is not an afterthought but integral to the organisation’s values, something I am proud to support."
Helen Brabant-Bleakley
Philanthropy Manager
"I am inspired by Amref’s community led, holistic approach to health change in Africa. Having a background in the charity sector, I understand the importance of asking communities what they need and working in partnership to deliver tangible, long-lasting solutions to systemic societal problems. I am honoured to lend my experience to helping Amref achieve healthcare for all throughout Africa."
Fiona McFarland
Philanthropy Officer
"I grew up in Zimbabwe and South Africa, watching my mother pursue her passion for nursing and love for Africa. The many journeys and experiences I had there gave me a deep understanding of the importance of healthcare, particularly primary healthcare, and an equal love for Africa. I was drawn to Amref after learning about its incredible work throughout the African continent particularly with women and girls."
Hope Ahipeaud
Fundraising Officer
"As an International Relations graduate and working in the charity sector, I was drawn to Amref after learning about its long-term transformative work at improving healthcare across Africa and its impressive response to providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, Amref's commitment to being an African-led organisation that empowers communities and diverse voices, places those at the heart of its mission. I am excited to be part of an organisation and team that is collectively working together at creating positive change."
Yohanah Rodney
Fundraising Administrator
"I was drawn to Amref because of its African-centered, African-led approach to development. With a background in charity casework, I deeply understand the importance of taking the lead from the communities we serve, amplifying their voices through ethical storytelling, and ensuring their dignity and integrity are preserved—a principle Amref has upheld throughout its history. I am excited to contribute to the incredible work Amref has accomplished and to support its mission as it continues to drive meaningful change".
Emily Crowley
Digital Fundraising Officer
I come from a UK health charity background, and specialise in digital communications. I am thrilled to join the Amref team and bring my UK experience to learn more on a global scale. I have been moved by Amref’s diverse programmes and campaigns, along with its strategic approach to addressing systemic challenges within governments and healthcare systems. I’m proud to contribute to Amref’s mission by leveraging digital and creative strategies to drive meaningful change.
Our Trustees
Paul Davey
Chair of Trustees
Since graduating from Leeds University Paul Davey has worked for more than 30 years in marketing and communications roles on global leader brands and challenger brands.
He worked for Diageo for 17 years in worldwide marketing roles and built a sales and marketing operation in Russia which he ran as General Manager based in Moscow.
Since 2003 Paul has been a partner at MMS (Modern Marketing Solutions), working for a range of clients on marketing strategy and business planning through to brand development work and communications campaigns.
Paul became a Trustee of Amref Health Africa UK in 2005 and remained on the Board for 10 years. Since 2016, Paul has been a member of the International Fundraising and Communications committee in Nairobi. He rejoined the UK Board in 2019.
Jill Anderson
Treasurer
Jill is a graduate of chemistry from the University of Exeter and qualified as a financial accountant at Shell before joining the healthcare industry.
Jill has over 30 years’ experience in the healthcare industry in a breadth of roles within global and entrepreneurial organisations including finance, commercial, supply chain and R&D. Most recently she was CFO for GSK Research and Development and prior to that CFO for ViiV Healthcare a company dedicated to people living with HIV. She has worked across many disease areas and is known for her collaborative leadership and building high performing teams.
Jill takes pride and enjoyment in roles which directly impact patients or communities. It is this experience that motivated her to join Amref because she is passionate about bringing healthcare access and equity to those that need it most.
Andrew Tuttle
Trustee
Andrew is the Chief Strategy Officer at Policy Cures Research, a research organisation focused on identifying gaps in biomedical R&D for global health issues, including neglected diseases, emerging infectious diseases, and sexual and reproductive health.
For more than 15 years he has worked with organisations delivering donor-funded public health programmes in Africa, including Chemonics International, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, MSI Reproductive Choices, and Global Health Strategies. He has led research, behaviour change and service delivery programmes in the areas of family planning, safe abortion, infectious diseases and maternal health. In particular, he oversaw a USAID-funded health behaviour change communications programme in Zambia and led the programme design and resource mobilisation team at MSI, which supported 17 country programme teams in Africa and 36 worldwide delivering essential contraceptive, maternal and safe abortion services.
Andrew holds an MPH from Johns Hopkins, a BA from George Washington University in International Affairs and he is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health at LSHTM related to the inclusion of pregnant and lactating people in clinical research.
Beverley Jewell
Trustee
Since graduating from Oxford University, Beverley has worked for more than 30 years in marketing, operations and sales roles in the pharmaceutical industry.
The majority of her career has been at GSK where she is currently Head of Global Vaccines Commercial Operations. Her experience spans developing unique positioning and strategies for pharmaceuticals at launch and late lifecycle to building capabilities in the changing commercial environment. Beverley loves to travel ,especially where there are exciting physical challenges. Beverley first connected with Amref Heath Africa on a 6-month assignment for Amref based in Nairobi in 2014/15 supporting the medical outreach programme. Since then she has volunteered on a regular basis in the London office and is delighted to now deepen her relationship by joining the UK Board.
Beverley was appointed with the help of Nurole, a specialist board-level recruitment service. For more information, please visit www.nurole.com.
Bridie Layden
Trustee
Bridie Layden is Director of Investor Relations at the END Fund, where she works with activist philanthropists in Europe who are committed to harnessing the power of collaborative philanthropy to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases. She has worked with high net worth clientele in the private and non profit sectors for over a decade, supporting philanthropists on a wide range of giving across health, humanitarian, development, education, and the arts.
Bridie holds a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Leeds, and a Masters in International Development from Birkbeck University. Bridie joined the Board of Amref UK in 2020, and is excited to join an African-led organisation with a clear focus and deep-rooted knowledge of the health issues facing communities. She believes in the potential for philanthropy to be strategic and impactful but also joyful, and looks to build deep, meaningful connections between philanthropists and the people and places they support.
Bridie was appointed with the help of Nurole, a specialist board-level recruitment service. For more information, please visit www.nurole.com.
Jennifer Chimanga
Trustee
Jennifer Chimanga is a Partner at international law firm Clifford Chance and co-heads the firm’s East Africa practice. She has wide experience of advising on M&A and related commercial transactions in the Telecoms, Media and Technology sectors, and has a focus on emerging markets (particularly, Africa). Jennifer is a member of Clifford Chance London’s gender diversity committee Accelerate>>>, and sits on the firm’s London Pay Gap Working Group. Jennifer is also the firm’s pro bono co-ordinator for Africa and supports a range of the firm’s pro bono clients including Invictus Games Foundations, African Prisons Project and International Lawyers for Africa.
Outside of work, along with being a Trustee of Amref UK, Jennifer co-head of the International Cluster of the Africa CEO Forum's Women in Business Network.
Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Nairobi and is qualified to practice law in Kenya and in England & Wales. She was born and educated in Kenya.
Jennifer is passionate about equality, education and empowerment.
Navita Yadav
Trustee
Global business leader and value creator, Navita has 25 years of senior management and board level industry experience with a unique combination of building, operating and monetising large financial services businesses from east to the western hemisphere. A recognized industry leader and international expert on European and Asian markets, she has held various CEO, Executive Committee and global roles in banking and financial services, where she continues to deliver consistent profit & market share growth.
Passionate about innovation in public policy and social impact, Navita is also a Central Bank Advisor and champions financial sector development initiatives in many countries. With vast people and diversity experience, she is a culture & inclusion advocate and actively supports nutrition programs for alleviating food poverty among children in India & the UK and now serves on the Board of Amref Health Africa UK.
Dr Sally Nicholas
Trustee
Sally currently leads the Health Systems & Environment workstream at the Wellcome Trust, which seeks to reduce barriers to the development and implementation of affordable, accessible interventions globally. As part of a wider team she manages and promotes the activities of the Infectious Disease Challenge Area.
She previously led a strategic initiative to reduce the burden of enteric and diarrhoeal disease in LMICs by accelerating vaccine and monoclonal antibody development in addition to leading the £10M Innovator Award fund. Prior to this, she worked at the Science & Technology Facilities Council as an Innovation Manager, identifying commercial opportunities arising from research activities and exploiting these through a variety of routes. She has additionally worked in business development in the science start-up sector for a number of years and has also spent time in marketing in the medical devices industry.
Sally holds degrees in the life sciences from the University of Toronto and Columbia University and an MBA from Yale University.
Sally truly believes that access to high quality healthcare should be universal and was drawn to Amref Health Africa UK, by the breadth and depth of the programs Amref leads and the real difference they make in improving the health of those most in need.
Dr Tinashe Chandauka
Trustee
Tinashe is an Associate at Oxford Sciences Innovation, a private investment company that invests in breakthrough technologies developed by Oxford University. He is also a Director of Circadian Therapeutics, an early stage biotechnology company. Tinashe has an MD/PhD background that combines a decade of clinical expertise as a frontline healthcare-worker with doctoral training in public health. He completed his doctoral training at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He is a past recipient of the Oxford University Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences "Best Early Stage Researcher Award" (2019). Tinashe’s PhD thesis examined the link between excess maternal surgical deaths and variations in safety culture in South African hospitals.
Tinashe was drawn to Amref Health Africa UK because he believes it is a powerful vehicle for improving maternal health on the continent: "Amref gives me joy and purpose, I want to bring the same energy to this wonderful team."
Our President and Patron
The Duke of Richmond
President
Amref Health Africa enjoys a long-standing association with the Duke of Richmond & Gordon and the Goodwood Estate. The 10th Duke and Duchess of Richmond first became involved with Amref through their connection with Michael Wood (Amref's founder), his wife Sue, and their farm at Kilimanjaro. The Duke was a supporter of Amref from the early days, when we were known as the Flying Doctors of East Africa. In 1995, he was invited to become President of Amref Health Africa UK, a post he held for the rest of his life, and passed to his son, the 11th Duke of Richmond, on his death in 2017. Amref is honoured that the Duke and his family have chosen to continue his father's generous support for the organisation.
"My family are very happy to continue this long and close association in supporting Amref in the vital work they do in Africa," says the Duke.
HM The King
Patron
Amref Health Africa is fortunate to have as our Patron His Majesty King Charles. A strong advocate for the charity sector, His Majesty first encountered Amref during a trip to Kenya in 1971, becoming a Patron in January 1979.
"In the more than fifty years that have elapsed since I first encountered Amref Health Africa, the organisation has evolved to become Africa's leading health NGO – never losing sight of its commitment to community-driven, locally-led change. By partnering with communities to find lasting solutions to the challenges they face, Amref has changed tens of millions of lives. What makes Amref Health Africa unique is its belief in people as a catalyst for change: a belief I share."
- HM The King, speaking at Amref's International Women's Day event at Clarence House in 2019.
Image (c) Alexi Lubomirski
Banner image: Girls preparing for an ARP ceremony in Tanzania, (c) Adrian Mgaya.