About Us
At GIA we seek to promote the social and economic development of the communities we serve. Continue to read more about the Commonwealth and about us.
Our MissionWe promote the social and economic development of the Commonwealth by bringing together professionals of the highest calibre with the most impactful challenges. Founded in 2011 by a group of influential Commonwealth leaders and change makers, we work with our partners to build a more inclusive and sustainable world where all people, everywhere, can reach their fullest potential. |
Good GovernanceWith several decades as a trusted adviser to sovereign agencies and institutions on policy and strategy, our core client philosophy is rooted in social responsibility and good governance.
Client Oriented SustainabilitySupporting sustainable economic growth globally has been one of our founding principle. We are guided by our belief that greening the global growth story requires successful international collaboration with partnerships in many sectors to enable new technologies and provide financing at scale. |
The modern Commonwealth differs largely from the old Commonwealth that was created in 1949. The modern Commonwealth you see today is indicative in its networks, values and the "Commonwealth Factor". Commonwealth Trade & Investment
The "Commonwealth Factor" derives from a shared experience that is manifested through similar legal, administrative, finance and business practices. The Commonwealth contrary to its reputation as an association based on its history is a dynamic and significant association of societies with vibrant and growing private sectors.
These pillars emphasise that development is about transforming the lives of people and not simply transforming economies. |
Bio
A champion of international trade, investment and emerging markets, Dr Mohan Kaul is an influential, well-connected and recognised policy adviser, business leader, social entrepreneur, development specialist and academician. He is President of the Indian Partnership Forum and a director of a number of prominent multinational businesses. Read more at kaul.co.uk |
Bio
An Honours graduate of King’s College London, Richard Howe started his career with Unilever and spent his first professional years in advertising and marketing positions in London, before joining British American Tobacco in 1976. He retired in 2004 from British American Tobacco after nearly thirty years with the Group, having held four senior General Manager positions in three continents (Africa, Sri Lanka, Russia and Africa again) including three years as non-executive Chairman of BAT Cameroon. |
Bio
Professor Douglas Boateng is Africa’s first ever extraordinary Professor for supply and value chain management and the United Kingdom’s IOM 1st ever Independent Distinguished Extraordinary Chair for operations and supply chain management-Africa. His extensive international multi-sectorial professional experience includes positions as a non-executive chairman, CEO, Professional director, international non-executive directorships, quasi academic at various business schools, Executive Advisor, Action based strategic and board directive implementer, consultant, mentor and coach, vis-a-vis the application of Supply Chain Management and innovative business development principles to organizations. |
Bio
Mr. Tabone joined the Government of Ontario in 1963, and for over 30 years he held different managerial positions in education, social services, and information systems. Joseph V. Tabone received his education at the Lyceum in Malta and attended a variety of higher educational and training institutions in Canada. In 2000, he was appointed to set up the Malta Communications Authority, until 2009 he was the Executive Chairman thus responsible for the oversight of the liberalisation process of the local telecommunications market. He is ICT advisor to Government and represents Malta on Internet Governance on the EU’s High Level Group, as well as ICANN's Government Advisory Committee (GAC). |
Bio
An honours graduate of King's College in Nova Scotia, Collin has lived and worked in a number countries over the past 15 years. His career began as an economist for a major global trade union, before spending several years as a strategy advisor at the Commonwealth Business Council. He has provided business planning, corporate restructuring, and stakeholder management services to a range of clients, from major global players in the extractive sector to IT entrepreneurs. |
Bio
Sid has been an financial services professional for over 17 years holding senior roles in both investment banking and asset management. Sid was the Head of Risk at Cairn Capital, an asset management firm with $40 bn in assets under management and long term advice in real estate, fixed income and structured credit asset classes. Previously, the Senior Risk Manager at GAM, an investment management company with $68 bn assets under management where he launched the global macro fund strategy and before that the Head of Pricing and Modelling at UBS Investment Bank. Sid holds a Masters in Finance from London Business School and an Engineering degree from Imperial College. |
Bio
Mahesh is a distinguished Sloan Fellow of the London Business School and holds a Masters degree in Management from University of London and MBA from University of Westminster. As a successful serial social entrepreneur, Mahesh has extensive experience in bringing concepts and start-ups to successful businesses. Mahesh advises in the areas of corporate governance, systems thinking, leadership development, emerging markets and social entrepreneurship. Mahesh’s earlier corporate experience includes working in Dun & Bradstreet Software, Head of IT & Business Strategy for Ford of Europe, Tata Consultancy EMEA Head of Strategy & Governance. |
Bio
Dr Ayo Ighodaro has a 1st Class Honours degree in Physics from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and a PhD in Management Science from Cornell University, USA. He has over thirty years’ experience in management consulting and corporate development in North America, Europe and Africa. He was recently Acting MD of a Nigerian estate and property development company with large land holdings, including the largest private industrial and residential estate in West Africa. He is Partner in a UK-based management firm set up to purchase, invest in and turnaround under-performing companies in sub-Saharan Africa. The firm also manages, purchases or disposes of non-core businesses for companies operating in Africa. He is also an Executive Director of another UK-based company specialising in the project development and enhancement of port facilities across sub-Saharan Africa |
Bio
Director , Food and Agriculture Melvin serves as a member of the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors in several companies in diverse sectors ranging from Agriculture to Hospitality. Melvin holds an undergraduate degree in Agriculture and Environmental Science from the University of Georgia, USA and an MBA from University of Oxford in the UK. Poultry is an area of special interest and expertise with Melvin driving some very key high impact projects in India, Middle East and Africa. |
Through our participation in programs such as the Technology Entrepreneurship Working Group at the House of Lords we aim to empower communities by supporting social entrepreneurs to create sustainable businesses that promote innovation and enhance social mobility.
Get in touch to learn more about our activities and partnerships in promoting social enterprise in Africa, Asia and the UK. |
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To respond to your request, any information submitted (including any personal information) may be shared with other CIC partner firms and transferred and/or stored across borders. A member of our team will be reviewing your request immediately and will respond within five business days.
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