Our Team in the UK

Tim has a background in scientific research, church ministry and church-based community development. He is passionate about seeing communities experience a vibrant transformation, which touches the various aspects of life in an interconnected way, and brings life and hope. He lived in Africa for 10 years and coordinated the work of a cross-cultural team, partnering with churches to enable their community initiatives among disadvantaged communities. Tim is married to Rachel and they have two daughters.

Jodie is a highly motivated and experienced social media executive and photographer, who brings creativity to the role. Her love for Amigos began in 2018 when she had the opportunity to visit Kira Farm. Jodie has worked for multiple national and international brands receiving recognition for her passion, enthusiasm and brand representation. She can always be found on the beach with a smile on her face.

Michaela volunteered with Amigos for a number of years before joining our team part-time. She plays an invaluable role heading up our Family Sponsorship programme and managing our UK office. Michaela communicates with sponsors, ensuring children’s letters are distributed and liaises with the Family Sponsorship team in Uganda. She is a ray of sunshine in the UK office and her dedication and eye for detail is fundamental to the success of the programme. If you call the office, it’s likely you’ll speak to our lovely Michaela!

Kayte began her career in politics, where she gained a wide range of experience at both a national and constituency level. Most recently she led on communication and engagement for a national parenting charity and is passionate about storytelling, partnership and championing others. Elsewhere she can be found enjoying the countryside with her family.

Steve, a Chartered Accountant, is a part-time member of staff with a huge amount of experience in the charity sector, both in accounting and HR. He has worked as Finance Manager at The National Autistic Society and The Lee Abbey Fellowship, and was a trustee and treasurer at the North Devon Hospice. Steve takes care of everything from banking through to production and analysis of financial reports.

Angus was born in South Africa and has seen first-hand the injustices poverty causes. He brings his creative gifting and business skills to Amigos, helping to develop effective strategies both here and in Uganda. Angus and his wife Claire are passionate about caring for the disadvantaged.

Dolly is a lawyer in Uganda with excellent advocacy skills and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for marginalised people. She has worked for the Refugee Law Project in Lamwo, Uganda and gained valuable experience in promoting community mobilisation, dealing with gender-based violence and advocating for the rights of refugees. Dolly wants to see young people reach their potential and helps Amigos with its monitoring and evaluation effectiveness.

Sian is a school teacher and loves Amigos, visiting Uganda every year. She recognises that people are our biggest asset. She also heads up a small team of women that delivers our amazing ‘Inspire’ programme at Kira Farm Development Centre – teaching our female trainees about their true value and worth so they can go on to achieve their God-given potential.

Matt is a Chartered Civil Engineer and currently works for an international consultancy in the roles of business development and portfolio management where he oversees multi-disciplinary engineering and consultancy services to clients in the water sector. Matt has spent his career predominantly in the UK, but also several years in Tanzania involved in delivering development projects. Matt has a heart for seeing communities develop through upskilling, training and outcome-focused initiatives. He supports Amigos with wider development expertise and has a particular interest in its water supply projects.

Hikima, originally from Ghana, is a lecturer in Sustainability, Innovation and Energy Policy at the University of Sussex. Her PhD in Sustainable Development focused on the sustainability of NGO-fund Water, Sanitation and Hygiene projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. She is passionate about communities managing their own development due to her research and experience in voluntary work in The Gambia, Kenya and Ghana. Hikima advises Amigos on the effectiveness of our programmes in providing long term solutions.

Before joining Amigos, Roger had 30 wonderfully fulfilling years in the Devon and Cornwall Police Force. Since 2017 Roger heads up a small team of men that delivers our amazing ‘Strength’ programme to the young male trainees at Kira Farm Development Centre. Roger loves the heart of Amigos and how it transforms lives ‘from the inside out’ and moves people from ‘dependence to dignity’. Roger is married to Rebecca and they have three children.

ANDREW FRIEND BSc (Agric.Hons), MSc (Trop.Agric), PhD (Trop.Vet.Med.Hon)

Andrew has over forty years of experience working overseas in agricultural reconstruction, specialising in animal production, tropical veterinary and crop cultivation. His work has taken him all over the world, including East Africa. Andrew has worked for the FAO, UN, DFID, The World Bank and IFAD Procurement, Send A Cow, World Vision and Tearfund. His extensive knowledge of agriculture and international development makes him an invaluable consultant to Amigos.

Phil founded Amigos in 2000. He and his wife Ann have a strong belief that everyone is of value. Coupled with their Christian faith it was easy for them to see the need in Africa and they wanted to do something tangible about the huge numbers of AIDS orphans, war-displaced and disadvantaged young people there. Phil is still an Amigo at heart and continues to help in numerous ways.