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Patrons

Sir Edward Clay
Lord Joel Joffe CBE

Sir Edward Clay has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the diplomatic service. The Oxford graduate first followed his father into journalism, subsequently joining the Foreign Office. Sir Edward’s first overseas posting was in Kenya, where he rose to Second Secretary in Nairobi. A series of postings across Europe followed before Sir Edward moved to Cyprus as Deputy High Commissioner in 1985.

His next role was British High Commissioner to Uganda and non-resident Ambassador to Rwanda and Burundi. He was responsible for British representation in the traumatic aftermath of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, which cost the lives of around one million Rwandans.

A two-year posting followed in London, as Director of Public Services, before Sir Edward became High Commissioner to Cyprus in 1999, as the country began the process of accession to the European Union and supported UN efforts to reach a settlement between the Greek and Turkish communities on the divided island.

His final overseas posting was in the same country as his first – this time as High Commissioner to Kenya, where he remained until 2005. As the chairman of the DFID small grants scheme in Kenya, Sir Edward visited one of our project sites, and was impressed by what he saw, later writing:

"Joshua Mukusya motivates, stimulates and gives his expertise.  Men and women give their local knowledge and do the hard work of construction... there is real 'empowerment' for you: the role of the community plain for everyone to see, and the people's satisfaction in gradually changing their own lives." The Sunday Nation, June 12th 2005

Following his retirement and his return to the UK, Sir Edward kindly agreed to continue to support our work by accepting the position of Patron.

Lord Joffe's contribution to the public good has been enormous, thoughout his career he has consistently worked to protect human rights and to contribute to social welfare. After qualifying as a human rights lawyer in South Africa, he gained international prominence as Nelson Mandela's defence lawyer in the now legendary 1963-4 Rivonia Trial.

After emigrating to the UK he pursued a successful career in the financial services industry, holding various positions at Allied Dunbar Assurance between 1971 and 1991, retiring as Deputy Chair.

During his time in the UK, Lord Joffe has been a founder member and trustee of a wide range of charitable organisations. In 1974, he became the Chairman of Thamesdown Voluntary Services Council and Chairman of the Lyddington Bridge Association, which ran homes for former offenders in the Thamesdown area. He was also founding Trustee of the Thamesdown Community Trust. He was deeply involved in the provision of public health services in the United Kingdom, holding the position of Chairman of the Swindon Health Authority and of the Swindon and Marlborough National Health Trust. He was also associated with Oxfam in various roles between 1982 and 2001, including being its Chair between 1995-2001.

He was awarded the CBE in 1999, and made a life peer on 16 February 2000. As an active crossbench peer in the House of Lords, Lord Joffe continues to pursue his interests in human rights, health-care and international development. On accepting the offer to become a Patron of Excellent Development, Lord Joffe said:

"I'm very happy to endorse Excellent Development and their important work in semi-arid Africa. I have supported them financially over the last two years and am delighted with the progress and results that they have achieved."