Dr Michael Burden is a retired Pharmacist and active on many local and UK committees that are education oriented. Following a term as an A-CET Trustee, to remain supporting A-CET, he became a Patron and continues to support our work. He was Chair of Governors at a Primary School in the City of Leicester and is committed to doing what he can to ensure that children get the best possible education – wherever they live!

David has worked overseas for most of his life, principally in Africa. Initially he was a Military Engineer trainer, a Factory Manager, a BESO/VSO Small Business Advisor with DfID and latterly a development delegate with the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies. David is retired and operates the Trust from his UK home whilst spending about half the year in Ethiopia monitoring and advising on our work. David was awarded an honorary doctorate from Mekelle University in 2013 for his services to the community

Johannes has been a UK resident since he was very young after he lost his Ethiopian diplomat father and was placed into care. He has a unique insight into the background of so many of our students on so many levels. He visits Ethiopian annually and as an Airbus Flight Captain epitomizes the dream job of so many young Ethiopians.

Dr Sammy Ayalew A-CET alumnus, was our first UK post graduate student. He completed his doctorate studies at Cambridge University through a Wellcome Trust Scholarship in malaria genomics and Bioinformatics. After completing a post-doctoral research at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, he now works as a scientific researcher in finance and computing. With his background, quiet maturity and powerfully persuasive oratory, he is ideally placed to support A-CET and brings a unique perspective to our board. Sammy visits Ethiopia regularly and travels extensively overseas giving talks both professionally and for A-CET.

Former Trustee and long term supporter Dame Claire, Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, is a patron and ambassador. Her work during the 1984 famine in Ethiopia as a Red Cross Nurse inspired Band Aid and Live Aid. In 2012 she was voted one of the 10 most influential female nurses of all time. She holds the Florence Nightingale & Bish medals and numerous other awards. We are grateful for her continued support and active involvement in A-CET.

Bisrat is an A-CET alumnus and epitomizes all that A-CET aims to achieve. A 1984/85 famine survivor himself, he has been working with David since 1992. Now Manager and Chairman of our Ethiopian partners, EYES, we are fortunate he is a part of our Board as Director, where he can make an invaluable contribution. Bisrat has an extraordinary high level of commitment, is totally dedicated to his work with excellent administrative and diplomatic skills. Bisrat also has a tourist franchise through which he introduces visitors to the work of A-CET and EYES. 

Angela was a senior probation officer and on her retirement she became a non-executive director of a community health trust for six years. She is a tireless campaigner in the field of race relations and in mobilising support for families seeking asylum. In February 2011 she joined an international group of volunteers planting olive trees to in the West Bank of Palestine and on her return she launched the North Staffordshire Olive Tree Campaign. Angela still finds time to support A-CET and regularly visit our work in Ethiopia, where she has a lovely rapport with all our staff and students.

Dr Michael Burden is a retired Pharmacist and active on many local and UK committees that are education oriented. Following a term as an A-CET Trustee, to remain supporting A-CET, he became a Patron and continues to support our work. He was Chair of Governors at a Primary School in the City of Leicester and is committed to doing what he can to ensure that children get the best possible education – wherever they live!