The African Centre appoints six trustees to strengthen board’s capacity

The Africa Centre, a UK registered charity that champions the diversity of Africa and its diaspora, has  appointed six new trustees with a view to diversifying and bolstering its board, ahead of its relaunch and move to its new flagship building in Southwark, London in late spring 2022.

The organisation stated that the newly appointed trustees including,  Kerryn Greenberg, Julian Boiatey, Audrey Mpunzwana, Ethel Tambudzai, John Mensah and Gosia Brzezinsk, joined in late 2021 and were recruited following an open and  rigorous  competition designed to fill  specific vacancies.

The appointments also follow an externally facilitated governance review in early 2021 which identified several skills gaps and a need to refresh and strengthen the board to bring a broader perspective and safeguard the future sustainability of the charity.

The new appointees will join seven existing trustees led by Oba Nsugbe, who oversees the charity’s work as they collectively bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise from the corporate, public, and non-profit sectors, while also helping to promote the charity’s financial and operational growth and deliver on its renewed purpose, mission, and vision.

Commenting on the recent appointment, Oba Nsugbe, chair of the board of trustees, described the trustees as  “fresh talents and perspectives” to help in the charity’s mission to educate about, connect to, and advocate for Africa.

“Our new trustees bring with them not just youthful energy but also a wealth of expertise across areas as diverse as fundraising, governance, and entrepreneurship. They will be an undoubted asset to the charity going forward,” Nsugbe noted.

Audrey Mpunzwana, one of the new trustees  noted that The Africa Centre has a rich history of promoting cultural exchange, creative expression, entrepreneurship and innovation dating back to the 1960s.

“I am delighted to be joining the board at this time as we build on the Charity’s past successes, while delivering our exciting and forward-looking mission to our diverse stakeholders in London and beyond,” he said.

Julian Boaitey, also one of the new appointees, expressed his pleasure to have been selected as one of the new young trustees.

“I’ve been involved with the centre for many years now and I’m excited to leverage my experience in helping shape the future of the centre and the incredible work that is being done,” Boaitey stated.