Taylor Root UK Trustee Network: An interview with Ofei Kwafo-Akoto, GLP
As part of our interview series for our Trustee Network, Taylor Root Partner, Georgia Morgan-Wynne recently spoke to Ofei Kwafo-Akoto Head of Legal – Europe at GLP about being a Trustee for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards.
What does your Trustee organisation do?
The Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award is a youth charity that supports young people from all walks of life by helping them develop new skills, overcome obstacles and build confidence and resilience. DofE is run in schools, colleges, community organisations, youth and sports clubs, prisons and young offender institutions, hospitals and many more, across the UK. The DofE Award is widely recognised and valued and we’re continuing to make the DofE more accessible, which is something I am personally very passionate about. For example, the proportion of participants from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities and additional needs, and those experiencing poverty continue to increase year on year and we are actively working to break down barriers to participation and reach more young people, especially the most marginalised.
Why were you interested in becoming a Trustee?
I’ve been actively involved with a number of youth charities over the years and the DofE’s mission personally resonated with me; making a positive and tangible difference in the lives of young people. I’ve served as a trustee for a number of organisations, and I’ve always found the role incredibly fulfilling – in addition to making a contribution to a great cause, the scope for personal and professional development is huge.
Briefly describe your role as a Trustee and what involvement you have in your organisation?
I am a Trustee on the main board of the DofE and I am also a member of the audit, investment and risk committee. As Trustees we work with the charity’s executive leadership team to determine the strategic direction of the DofE and oversee the delivery of that strategy. We also provide the executive team with support and, where necessary, constructive challenge.
What are the benefits to a Head of Legal being a Trustee?
The benefits are very much symbiotic; clearly a charity can benefit from your legal, governance and risk management skills, but in return you get an opportunity to develop as a leader, gain alternative insights on broader strategy and risk issues, increase your commercial acumen and broaden your network.
If you are interested in a Trustee role or are looking to hire a Trustee position, please get in touch with Georgia Morgan-Wynne to find out more.
If you would like to join our Trustee network, find out more here.
We want to reiterate that this is not a paid service and forms part of our referral programme, so please do not hesitate to get in touch.
