UCF Trustees & Staff

Trustees

Michael Keigwin is the Founding Trustee of UCF and a Director of UCU, the Ugandan operational arm of the Charity. He has a close and intimate knowledge of Uganda having spent 9 years living amongst the people whilst running his Elephant, Crops & People project which led to the formation of UCF. Michael has played a key role in enforcing ‘conservation in action’ and as Operative Trustee oversees and directs the project work in Uganda.  Having worked in the UK as a Senior Consultant for Deloitte from 2009 Michael returned to live and establish a business in Uganda in November 2011.

James Acworth joined the Trustees in November 2008. He has previously advised UCF in conservation and  environmental projects whilst living and working in Uganda until 2007. After 3 years working on forest management in Montenegro, he moved back to Africa. From July 2010, James worked as the Senior Forestry Specialist for the World Bank in Cameroon, where he supervised existing and prepared new investments in sustainable forest management, conservation and protected areas. He is now based back in the UK and works as a consultant in this field.

Will Bolsover has over ten years of experience working in Africa managing a variety of development projects with local communities and leading trekking and wildlife safaris throughout the continent including the Republic of Congo and Central African Republic. Now Managing Director of Natural World Safaris Will leads an expert team in tailoring the ultimate safaris to countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Artic and Antarctic. Having travelled and worked extensively throughout Africa Will's knowledge is extensive and he offers that first-hand experience and advice that will help to guide the work and operations of Uganda Conservation Foundation. Will joined the Trustees in February 2013.

Suzy Fox is an American citizen living and working in London. She joined UCF as a Trustee in 2011. Her interest in Uganda commenced when friends moved there in 2008 and in 2009 she first visited. She enjoyed the natural beauty, wildlife and charming people so much that she made a return visit in December 2010. Suzy now wishes to use her skills to contribute to the development and potential of Uganda. She is currently the General Manager and Global Marketing Director of a software and consulting company in London and holds an M.B.A in International Business and Marketing. From November 2011 Suzy has agreed to take on the role of Chairperson for UCF.

Patrick Jackson has been a Trustee since 2001. Having spent several years guiding safaris in Zimbabwe and Zambia including time as an Honorary Ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Paddy completed an MSc in Conservation Biology at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) in 1998. A former  Director of Friends of Conservation UK he is now a corporate communications consultant. 

Sam Pilcher has a degree in Zoology and a Masters degree in Environmental Technology. After working as the Environmental Manager of KPMG for 7 years he joined Citi Realty Services in 2008 where his role is to reduce the environmental impacts of Citi across the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions. Sam has been a Trustee of UCF for several years.

Carolyn de la Plain spent many of her early years living abroad in Mauritius and South Africa before returning to settle in London, where she works as an administrator. A desire to understand the complexities of today's environmental issues led her to study for a degree in Environmental Conservation. Her focus on African elephants and the importance of community involvement in conservation brought her into contact with Michael Keigwin who invited her to become a Trustee of UCF in 2006. Although she had no previous links with Uganda, she has since been able to visit the country, thanks to the British Airways Communities & Conservation scheme. The chance to meet the team and see the projects in operation has fuelled her commitment to the valuable work the charity is doing.

Jacqueline Teera joined the Trustees in February 2010. Jacquie, a Ugandan national, lives in the UK where she completed a Masters of Public Health degree. Jacqui now leads a medical research project. In Uganda she was part of the Integrated Lake Management project team which worked to introduce Beach Management Units around Lakes George and Edward. Her knowledge in this area will benefit our Waterways and Dura Projects. Jacquie is devoted to the cause of conservation and helping to empower the poorest communities in Uganda and sees this appointment as the perfect opportunity to continue helping the communities of the south west region of Uganda.    

Phil Woodcock retired following a long career with a major UK Bank and spent 2 years in Uganda, 2005-2007, as a VSO Business Volunteer assisting UCF to establish the administrative and financial structure of its Ugandan team . On his return to the UK in 2007 he was invited to join the Board of Trustees and now acts as Treasurer to the Charity.  He revisited Uganda to see UCF projects and the office team in 2008 and 2010.

Staff

UCF currently employs no staff but operates in the UK through the goodwill and support of the Trustees and a number of valued volunteers in particular Mrs Prue Keigwin, mother of the founder.