The UK Charity

Paul Whitehouse - Chairman

Paul worked in a voluntary capacity as Starehe’s Assistant Bursar from 1963-64, and has raised funds for the school ever since.

Paul retired as Chief Constable of Sussex in 2001, and is the former Chair of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority.

Paul is also Chair of Governors of Sidcot School and Treasurer for Quakers and Business Group.

Tim Faithfull

Tim Faithfull is a non-executive director of a number of companies in the UK and Canada (Senior Independent Director at AMEC plc).

He worked internationally for Royal Dutch/Shell for 36 years, and was President and CEO of Shell Canada Limited when he retired from Shell in 2003. He ran Shell’s operations in Kenya between 1985 and 1989, and during this period he was Chairman of the Management Committee of Starehe Boys Centre. He has been a trustee of Starehe UK since 1996.

Roger Higgs MBE

In 1962-63, Roger was Starehe’s Assistant Bursar and has been involved as a supporter ever since.

Roger’s experiences in Kenya influenced him to read medicine, and he has recently retired from a career as a GP in inner London. Awarded an MBE for his development work, Roger is currently Professor Emeritus at Kings College London.

David Kisiaky

David was a student at Starehe Boys’ Centre from 1994 to 1999.

He studied ‘day and night’ to beat the 20,000 other applicants all competing for only 214 places available in 1994.

Once in school, David excelled – going on to win a place in Kenya's top law school at the University of Nairobi. Prior to taking up this place however, David was chosen for a cultural and educational exchange to Scotland, where an ‘empathetic friend’ was taken aback by his story, ambition and determination - and offered to sponsor his law degree.

David is currently working in the UK advocating for workers’ rights and improving labour standards. He is also working towards a PhD.

Ronald O Onyango

Ronald studied at Starehe Boys Centre from 1989-92, and credits it for defining his character, and ambition - and for giving him a sense of self-belief, stability and a ‘lifetime opportunity’.

Ronald graduated from Lancaster University in 2001 with a law degree then furthered his studies at Manchester Metropolitan School of Law, graduating in 2004. He has since worked for a variety of law firms, large and small.

Ronald is also a keen sportsman - and a Manchester United fan.

Keith Price

An engineer, Keith volunteered at Starehe for just over a year in 1967, setting up the Technical school. He has remained an enthusiastic and involved supporter ever since, re-visiting Starehe twice.

John Rushton - Honorary Treasurer

John first visited Starehe as a volunteer teacher in 1969, and he has remained a steadfast supporter ever since.

Until March 2009, John was a Partner of Mayer Brown International LLP; a global law firm. In July 2009, he became a UK arbitration and dispute resolution consultant for the International Chamber of Commerce, and he is a Past-Master of the Worshipful Company of Arbitrators.

Carole Spencer

Carole is a professional flautist, conductor and teacher. She worked as a music volunteer at Starehe in 1991and 1992 and has remained in contact with the school ever since.

Now based in Holland, Carole is Chairman of the English speaking Catholic Church of Amsterdam.

Dr Lawrence M. Mbugua

Lawrence was a student at Starehe Boys’ Centre from 1979 to 1990, before taking up a place at the University of Nairobi where he studied Building Economics and Management.

From here, Lawrence went on to gain an MSc in Property Investment and Development at the University of Manchester - where only 1% separated him and the top-performing student - and a PhD in Strategic Business Performance Measurement from the University of Wolverhampton.

Today, Lawrence is a management consultant with particular expertise in supporting public and private sector clients through major transformation initiatives.

In addition to being a Trustee of the StareheFuture Appeal he is a Board Member of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, an educational charity working with young people in the UK.

Lord Valentine Cecil

Lord Valentine is the fourth son of the 6th Marquis of Salisbury and a member of one of England's most prominent families. His family shares centuries of history with Africa that continues today.

Although primarily based in London, Lord Valentine has retained an interest in Africa for over 35 years and spends several months a year in the region, particularly Kenya and other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Beyond his business interests, Lord Valentine is Vice Chairman of the Eastern Africa Association which represents the business interests of its members in Eastern Africa and Non-Executive Chairman of Brookwood Capital Corporation.

Mark Webb

Mark was an IT volunteer at Starehe Boys’ Centre between 1994 and 1996, and for several years was responsible for volunteer recruitment at Starehe Boys’ Centre. He remains an enthusiastic and involved supporter of Starehe.

Will Cavendish

Dr Will Cavendish recently joined the UK government Cabinet Office, leading work on deregulation and transparency. Prior to this he was Director General, International Energy and Climate Change at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, where he was responsible for leading the UK’s efforts in securing ambitious global action to combat dangerous climate change.

He has had a distinguished career as an economist, working for the World Bank and a number of other international agencies, lecturing at Oxford University and Imperial College, and holds a doctorate in economics from Oxford University. Dr Cavendish’s family has a long connection with Starehe Boys’ Centre.