My Story
Early Years
I was born in Kampala, Uganda, and spent the first ten years of my life in Bukoba, Tanzania. At age 10, I was given a life-changing opportunity to leave Bukoba Secondary School and continue my education in the UK.
When I arrived, I couldn’t speak English. The transition was overwhelming, and I had to fight hard — through school, through university, and through a world that was unfamiliar and often unwelcoming.
Over time, I discovered my natural strength in finance, and eleven years after arriving in the UK, I graduated with First Class Honours in Accounting and Financial Management from Essex University.
That journey made me stronger, more resilient, and shaped the person I am today. But it also left scars — and instilled behavioural patterns that I’ve had to better understand over time. It’s a story of perseverance, but also of reflection, growth, and healing.
Corporate Career
I began my career at BSkyB, where I completed my CIMA qualifications and gained foundational experience across multiple finance disciplines, including treasury and cash management.
In 1999, I transitioned to Harrods, leading the management accounts function, which paved the way for my first Financial Controller role at ntl (now Virgin Media) in 2000. During this time, I developed deep expertise across corporate finance and treasury functions, including bank and bond financing, Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, and finance transformation initiatives.
My first Finance Director role came in 2005 with Affinion International, a private equity–backed business. From there, I continued expanding my leadership scope — adding operational, HR, IT, and procurement responsibilities to my finance expertise.
As COO/CFO at CEG, I led the restructuring and transformation of the organisation — resolving complex legacy issues across people, processes, and systems. I built and managed a high-performing, motivated team, arranged debt financing exceeding £1 billion (including sustainability-linked loans), and oversaw multiple investor relationships.
In parallel with my executive career, I’ve held non-executive roles across NGOs and the charity sector, further deepening my commitment to purpose-led leadership and governance.
Nervous Breakdown
In November 2022, I suffered a nervous breakdown brought on by burnout, chronic stress, and overwork. That traumatic experience forced me to stop — and truly confront myself and the life I had built. I began asking difficult but necessary questions: Why had I reached this point? What was the purpose behind the suffering? Who did I want to become from here?
In that stillness, I came to a powerful realization: I had been extraordinarily fortunate to leave Africa and build a life and career in the UK — and perhaps, not all storms are meant to disrupt your life; some come to clear your path.
This awakening led me to refocus my purpose. Today, my mission is to serve — using the skills, insights, and resilience I developed through my corporate journey to support others. Whether through coaching, advisory work, or board leadership, I’m committed to helping individuals and organisations thrive with clarity, integrity, and intention.
Self Realisation
These questions marked the beginning of a profound journey of self-realisation — one that allowed me to connect with my conscience and inner soul. Through this process, I began to understand the root causes of my breakdown, recognising how specific patterns and behaviours had led me to that point.
For the first time, I saw clearly what truly brings me happiness — and how that insight would shape the goals and direction of the rest of my life.
During this difficult time, I was held — by my family, and by Shiva. Without them, I would not be here to share this story. I am grateful for life every day.
This chapter also opened the door to deep personal exploration. I immersed myself in reading and reflection, expanding my understanding of both myself and the world around me. It was during this period that I came to truly understand and embrace my devotion to Shiva.
To me, Shiva reflects the perfection and certainty within every living being, guiding us toward our inner truth. As an ardent devotee, I now live with a renewed sense of clarity and commitment — to serve, to speak truth, and to embody the principles Shiva represents.
This is my purpose: to serve Shiva through how I live, lead, and support others.
My Future Intent
My purpose now is to serve — drawing on the insights, skills, and lived experiences shaped by both my personal journey and corporate leadership.
I’m especially committed to supporting those seeking to lead more meaningful, balanced lives, and those who may be struggling — in transition, searching for purpose, or seeking to reconnect with their inner truth.
By weaving together spiritual wisdom, professional expertise, and the hard-earned lessons of my own path, I offer mentorship and coaching to help individuals and organisations grow with authenticity, purpose, and compassion.
I also believe that the exploitation of Mother Nature has deeply impacted our environment, economy, and collective wellbeing. It is no longer enough to simply protect what remains — we must actively nurture and regenerate the natural world, so that future generations can live in harmony with the planet.