Who We Are
Amani UK is overseen by a board of trustees assisted by a group of advisers
DARREN BIGNELL
Trustee
After an early career in entertainment journalism, Darren moved into corporate communications, working for LOVEFiLM, Amazon, Warner Bros and, currently, Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Alongside Derek Hopwood, Darren established the annual summer youth trips to the Amani Project, leading teams every year 2000-2008 inclusive, and visiting Oyugis 14 times to date. He is a member of the Manor Farm congregation of Hazlemere Church.
SUZY BROWNE
Trustee with special responsibility for Orphans and Families
Works as a cardiac nurse at Harefield Hospital and is studying a Master’s in cardiorespiratory nursing. After visiting the projects for a second time in 2015, Suzy was passionate about the work of the Amani UK and wanted to become more involved. Shortly afterwards she became a trustee. Her role focuses on connecting orphans and their families with their sponsors in the UK.
PETER FISH
International Coordinator
Trained as an electrical / electronic engineer and worked for a number of international companies. Peter formed his own engineering company in 1992 working within the paper manufacturing industry and then expanding to all UK industries. Having lived in Kenya in the 1960s and then in other African countries, Peter started making visits with Amani UK teams in 2005, became a trustee a few years later and assumed his current role in 2016. Peter lives in Hazlemere and is a congregational leader within Hazlemere Church.
ADRIAN GOODE
Treasurer
Qualified as a Mechanical Engineer and worked in the automotive supply chain before moving into Marketing & Business Management for a major petrochemical company. He retired in 2017, moving to Salisbury to be closer to family and joined the local New Frontiers church there. Adrian has visited Africa on several occasions and having recognised the opportunities to enhance people’s lives, he jumped at the prospect of becoming a trustee and Treasurer for Amani UK in 2015.
ROB INSLEY
Secretary
Worked in Information Technology as a Project Manager in a range of industries before retirement from Rolls-Royce. First travelled to Kenya to visit the Amani Projects around Oyugis in 2011, seeing first hand the great impact Amani was having in that area. This prompted Rob to become more involved, eventually taking up the role of a trustee. Rob lives in Derby and is an active member of St. Alkmund’s Church.
JIM LEFTWICH
Trustee
A Rolls Royce trained engineer, moving across to general management in the UK and USA before retiring as a CEO in 2000. Became a Trustee and Treasurer of Amani UK in 2001, taking over as International Coordinator in 2003 through until 2015, during which time he made 30 trips to Kenya. Awarded the OBE in 2013 for 30 years’ services for young people’s work in Berkshire and nationally.
RUTH MOFFAT
Trustee
Ruth Moffat first visited Oyugis in 2000 and has since been privileged to visit again on many occasions. Most of these have been as a leader on youth trips and she has a passion for engaging young people especially with the challenges of community development and the opportunities to make a difference. Now raising a young family and running a Community Interest Company in Watford, she loves being able to support Amani UK through her role as a trustee.
JOHN PRESTWICH
Chairman
Worked as a Civil Engineer in the construction industry mainly in the midlands with Kottler and Heron later to become Gallifords. Also had a spell of seven years with consulting engineers, AHS Waters, in Birmingham. Upon retirement, John and his wife Hazel went out to oversee the Amani project for 3 months in the autumn of 1999 returning for the next two years for the same duration and then visiting each year through to 2013. John lives in Derby and has active involvement with St. Alkmund’s church.
SUE SMITHIN
Trustee with special responsibility for policies, safeguarding and external funding
Worked in primary teaching in the UK and became a Head Teacher. Sue’s schools were linked via Amani UK with schools in Kenya and she has made many trips to Kenya since 2009. Having retired in 2017 Sue joined the board of trustees and has been developing policies for Amani UK and our partners in Kenya as well as overseeing safeguarding.
Advisers
Peggy Bannister – Keep a Girl in School
Malcolm Corden – Fundraising
Julian Harty – Introduction of Technology into Kenyan Schools
Derek Hopwood – Youth Trips
Benedict Mwendwa – Cultural Affairs
Pauline Prince – School Links Coordinator
Jan Rayner – Ted Rayner Memorial Clinic
Colin Knight – Leadership / Management Coach