Patron: Sir Edward Clay Advisor and former High Commissioner to Kenya Expand 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 the communities had achieved with our support. Following his retirement and his return to the UK, Sir Edward kindly agreed to support our work by accepting the position of Patron.
Patron: The Lady Katherine Rockley Advisor, founder of College Arts (Hampshire) and former sand dam expedition volunteer Expand Katie was born and bred in Hertfordshire and went to Rugby School, after which she graduated from Edinburgh University with a degree in History of Art. Her grandfather was an industrialist in Kenya so she spent many of her formative holidays on the Kenyan Coast where she forged her love of Kenya, its countryside and people. She pursued her career at Christies Auction House in London specialising in watercolours and prints, before devoting her time entirely to her family and children. As the children started to fly the nest she established College Arts with a close friend, a Hampshire based Art School which teaches a range of skills from botanical painting through to still life and sculpture courses. Now living in Dorset, Katie was intrigued by the concept of providing a simple solution to the water problem in much of the arid parts of Africa. She has thoroughly enjoyed being closely involved with Excellent Development ever since, even taking part in our 2018 July sand dam expedition in Kenya. Hear from Katie, along with the other expedition volunteers and the community they supported here.