At Amigos we run a tight ship with just five staff members (four of whom are part-time). We are fortunate to be blessed with a small army of highly skilled volunteers who keep our running costs low, ensuring maximum funds can be ploughed into our projects in Uganda.

We work mainly out of a small office space in Barnstaple, North Devon, and wherever possible we liaise with other organisations, businesses, schools and churches.

STAFF

TIM MONGER - CEO

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 teenage daughters.

JODIE McWHINNIE - Communications & Social Media

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 SQUIRE - Office Manager & Child Sponsorship

Michaela volunteered with Amigos for a number of years before joining our team part-time. She plays an invaluable role heading up our Child Sponsorship programme and managing our UK office. Michaela communicates with sponsors, ensuring children’s letters are distributed and liaises with the Child 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 POTTER - Engagement Lead

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. She is proud to be part of the Amigos team.

 

STEVE SCOFFIELD - Director of Finance

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. Steve has a CSE Grade 3 in Metalwork which is his proudest achievement in life.

TRUSTEES

ANGUS THOMSON – Business and Strategy

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 AKINFA – Youth and Monitoring and Evaluation

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 CAMPBELL-COLQUHOUN - Acting Chair, Pastoral and Safeguarding

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 FOX - Development and Policies

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.

VOLUNTEERS

HIKIMA BAAH - Sustainable Development Consultant

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.

 

ROGER BARTLETT - Strength Programme

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.

VAL BISHOP – Fundraising and Development Consultant

Val has worked within the education and charity sectors for the past 15 years. She has had a variety of roles in communications, project management and fundraising, including spending six years with an international development charity in Bristol, and four years as manager of West Buckland School Foundation. She is currently Programmes Director at Somerset Community Foundation. Val is a trustee of a number of small charities in the South West. She has volunteered for Amigos since 2013.

ANDREW FRIEND BSc (Agric.Hons), MSc (Trop.Agric), PhD (Trop.Vet.Med.Hon) - International Development Consultant

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 PUGSLEY - Founder

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.

 

SAM CHANDLER – Agriculture Consultant

Sam provides direction and consultation for the agricultural aspects of Kira Farm Development Centre. Sam runs an organic farm with his wife Christine near Chulmleigh, North Devon, and their main enterprise is an organic free-range poultry unit. Sam has been instrumental in helping Kira Farm Development Centre with its conservation agriculture.

CLICK HERE TO MEET THE UGANDA TEAM