We support those who are working to build peace and sustainable development
Who We Are
Our Vision
The McConnell International Foundation exists to support those who are working to build peace and sustainable development, particularly but not exclusively in sub-Saharan Africa. We work with local partners to deliver innovative programmes within our priorities of conflict prevention and peacebuilding, education and skills development.
Peace and sustainable development go hand in hand. Those people living in places dominated by violent conflict are least likely to go to school, earn an income or enjoy basic rights. Over 70 million people are displaced worldwide and not only do they experience deprivation but they are ripe for exploitation too. We recognise the particular challenges faced by vulnerable teenagers and we invest in the empowerment of girls and young women as a priority.
Our Foundation fundamentally believes that in this interdependent world we must and we can all make a difference. We are determined to be agents of sustainable change and we are grateful to all those who have supported our work and who will do so in the future.
Our Trustees
Rt Hon Lord Jack McConnell
Chancellor, University of Stirling
Lord Jack McConnell was First Minister of Scotland from 2001 to 2007. He served as UK Special Representative for Peacebuilding from 2008 to 2010, when he was appointed to the House of Lords.
Lord McConnell is Chancellor of the University of Stirling, a global adviser with PwC, Chair of the Sustainable Development Panel of Scottish and Southern Energy, and Deputy Chair of the UK/Japan 21st Century Group.
He is currently Co-Chair of the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development; Vice President of UNICEF UK; an adviser to the peace process in the Philippines and Chair of the McConnell International Foundation.
Jack has a keen interest in sport, serving as Chair of the Commonwealth Games (Scotland) Endowment Fund and as Honorary President of Scottish Athletics.
From 1999 to 2011, Jack McConnell was a Member of the Scottish Parliament. He was Scotland’s Minister for Finance 1999-2000; Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs 2000-2001, and President of the Legislative Regions of Europe in 2004.
He grew up on a small sheep farm on the Isle of Arran, Scotland, and was a high school Mathematics teacher before entering Parliament.
Liam McCabe
MIF Treasurer
Liam McCabe joined his alma mater the University of Stirling as Director of Finance in 2009. After a career spanning 40 years s’ working in and around higher education across the UK, Liam retired at the end of October 2022.
Graduating in Accounting and Business Law in 1981, Liam qualified as an accountant (CPFA) in 1986 and has almost 35 years post qualified experience.
Liam recently stepped down as Chair of the Scottish Universities Finance Directors Group.
He is a Board Member of Forth Valley College and Chair of the College’s Finance Committee. Until recently, Liam was a Lay Member of the Council of the Law Society of Scotland and Convenor of the Society’s Audit Committee for seven years. Liam is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).
A keen runner, Liam is also a past President of Central Athletic Club.
Khadija Coll MBE
Project Lead, One Community Scotland
Khadija Coll is the Project Lead for One Community Scotland.
Khadija has worked with refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland and Africa for more than 25 years. She is a long-time campaigner against FGM and gender-based violence.
Khadija assisted the Scottish Government with the campaign ‘One Scotland Many Cultures’ and lead the debate to legislate and combat FGM.
The One Community Scotland founder was nominated for ‘Scots Woman of the Year’ for her work with FGM and gender rights.
Khadija was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 2020 birthday honours for services to diversity and equality.
Owen Kelly
University of Edinburgh
Owen Kelly is an academic at the University of Edinburgh, where he works at the Business School and the Edinburgh Futures Institute. His teaching and research focus on the application of philosophy to contemporary business practice.
Before joining the University in 2016, he was Chief Executive of Scottish Financial Enterprise, the representative body for Scotland’s financial services industry. He has contributed regularly to public debate on many aspects of economics and politics.
Before that, he worked for 20 years as a civil servant in the UK and Scottish Governments. His policy specialisms were international affairs and communications.
He holds an honours degree in Chinese (1986) and a Diploma in Social and Public Policy (1998), both from the University of Edinburgh. He also holds a Diploma in Chinese Language from the University of Shandong and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
He is Chair of the Trustees of the Historic Scotland Foundation, and a trustee of the McConnell International Foundation. He was a trustee of the David Hume Institute from 2013 to 2019; and of Citizens Advice Edinburgh from 2015 to 2020.
He is an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and was awarded an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) in 2016, for services to charity and to the finance industry.
Oyiza Momoh
Clinical Development Scientist
Oyiza Momoh is an advocate for the development of others and access to opportunities. She is an early career Clinical Development Scientist, leading data strategy and management to develop medicines for those with unmet clinical need.
In this role, she published on the importance of inclusion and diversity in clinical trials, promoting discussion within patient advocacy groups.
Oyiza volunteered as a First Aider in Scotland for 5 years before helping to expand the charity, First Aid Africa, and co-founding its Glasgow University chapter.
In her professional career, she leads the Women’s Leadership Initiative for GSK’s Global Headquarters (GSK House), providing development opportunities for women, shining a spotlight on inequality and driving forward the gender parity agenda.
In addition, she is a keen STEM ambassador, leading a network of ambassadors and contributing heavily to GSK’s UK STEM strategy.
She is passionate about coaching and mentoring, having benefited personally and professionally from the kindness of others.
Rachel McEwen
SSE Chief Sustainability Officer
Rachel McEwen is the Chief Sustainability Officer of SSE. Rachel joined SSE in 2007 and, as Chief Sustainability Officer, is responsible for its sustainability strategy, climate change policy, community funds and corporate heritage.
She is a non-Executive Director of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, the SSE subsidiary that owns and operates the electricity distribution and transmission networks in the north of Scotland and distribution network in central southern England.
External to SSE, Rachel is a member of both the Poverty Alliance and Fair Tax Mark Boards. Rachel is also a Commissioner on the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Commission.
Prior to working for SSE she was Senior Special Adviser to Scotland’s First Minister from 2001 to 2007. She has a first degree in Applied Economics and a Masters in International Political Thought.
