Garden Africa Trustees

Georgina McAllister (MA) - Programmes 

With a background in humanitarian aid which, like conflict, often happens to people without their consent, George developed an interest in creating more inclusive and sustainable forms of community engagement, which view the environment and its hosts as part of a long-term solution. Having worked during her youth as gardener in her native North Wales, and later completing her MA in politics at York (Post-War Reconstruction & Development) she drew upon these two passions, co-founding GardenAfrica in 2002, where she continues to design and develop programmes with civil society organisations in sub-Saharan Africa.

gem@gardenafrica.org.uk 


Bill Leeson - Communications 

After a brief career as an actor, Bill worked as an agent, theatre producer, club promoter, and then as a film-maker producing arts-based documentaries. In the 1990s Bill was involved in humanitarian aid, working in Bosnia, Kosovo, West Africa, East Timor and Afghanistan. During this time, he became increasingly aware of the limitations and short-term value of the emergency approach, when compared with the potential of appropriately targeted development initiatives. In 2002 Bill co-founded GardenAfrica. 

bill@gardenafrica.org.uk 


Joanne Knowles - Events 

Joanne has worked in marketing and corporate entertainment and joined Gardenafrica in 2006 to focus on media and events. Having fallen for Africa whilst travelling, and as a keen gardener, she was looking for a way to support development at grass roots level. As a beekeeper, allotment holder and mother, she is a firm believer in the benefit of good nutrition to enable healthy and productive lives. Also important to her is the way in which GardenAfrica works with local partners piloting simple, yet life changing initiatives that work, and can be easily replicated from community to community. 

joanne@gardenafrica.org.uk 


Sarah Rose (MSc)

Sarah was motivated to work with GardenAfrica because of her close links with the communities they work within, and the approach they take by engaging with issues through local organisations rather than applying a preconceived notion of how the work needs to be done. Sarah brings experience in fundraising and campaigning to GardenAfrica and has an MSc in development management. 

sarah@gardenafrica.org.uk