Meet the Core Team members

BE REEL UK

Dr Nikki Swan - Co-Founder and Educator

“The positivity and passion of the Gambian people for their future drives my commitment to this work.  The community spirit, can-do attitude and generosity of spirit is inspiring.”

Nikki specialises in the field of sustainable development particularly in rural communities through synergies of multi stakeholder engagement.  She focuses on the administration of the charity.

Having worked as a self-employed management consultant in the sphere of sustainability she had a portfolio of clients ranging from Henley Business School where she was a member of the ‘Reputation and Responsibility’ team, to working as Programme consultant for a variety of UK and overseas charities and service organisations.  

Living and working in many countries has built a rich experience rooted in sustainability of the environment, health, education and society, from a management and community view point.  Her academic interests focus on corporate social responsibility and stakeholder management in developing and emerging economies.  She has a PhD and an MBA from Henley Business School as well as other post-graduate qualifications in research and law.

Dr Trevor Long - Co-Founder, Educator and Trustee

“Engaging people in an educational journey that enables them to be self-sufficient for their long-term future is the most fulfilling and exciting attraction to this work.”

Trevor brings an extensive experience in education and consultancy to this work, from many different countries and cultures, with a primary interest in individual development as a means of building long-term growth and well-being.  Working with several business schools, including Cambridge, Duke, Henley and Warwick, he has designed and delivered programmes on strategy, leadership, change, personal development and cultural awareness. He focuses on the educational content of the charity.

With a strong interest in the benefits of personal motivation, Trevor’s research is rooted in the personal experience of engagement and its application in leadership and business growth.  He has a PhD, an MBA and other qualifications involving coaching and psychology.

Joanna Maughan - Trustee

“BE REEL excites me because it is committed to education which supports the Gambian people to be able to support themselves independently for the long term.”

Jo is a mother of two who has a career in education, with an interest in finance and management. Jo set up and ran a community support group, has in-depth knowledge of safeguarding policies and practices, and experience as a trustee. 

Jonathan Long - Trustee

“Developing sustainable education that has a real impact to the quality of life is such a valuable project and I’m grateful to be part of it”

Jonathan is a process engineer with experience working in culturally diverse teams on all sizes of engineering projects.  

He has held various volunteer roles that focus on supporting people in their education or careers, including STEM outreach activities, student representation in university, graduate programme support and early careers mentoring.

Colin Guest - Trustee

‘The vision of BE REEL resonates with me personally. Embedding solid business practices in an environment where they are so needed is an excellent project that should be sustainable and scalable in the long term.”

Colin is now retired from a career spanning operational management, company direction, consultancy, education and training. With an MBA from Henley Business School and qualifications in marketing, quality management and construction management, Colin has led businesses and delivered change projects in a wide range of business areas.

As a volunteer he has been a trustee of various charities over the last five decades.

Caroline Harmer - Trustee

‘I feel passionately about Gunjur and its people.  Every time I visit, I am inspired by their determination to create a better life for themselves and their children.’ 

Caroline was a teacher before becoming the education officer for a charity which has been working in Gunjur for more than 30 years.   She has run many school projects based on the Gambia,  including challenges and competitions  based on business entrepreneurship. She has experience in training Gambian teachers in school linking and the Sustainable Development Goals. She is a British Council Ambassador and a trustee for RAISE Gambia, a charity that supports science education in South Kombo. 

Anna Quarendon - Trustee

“If the founders of BE REEL are as effective in their endeavours in The Gambia  as they are in persuading trustees to support them, then I have joined a team which means business”.

During Anna's time working for BBC Local Radio she had the opportunity to visit Gunjur to make a feature on the role of women there. Following this life enhancing trip she became the Chair of the charity which had introduced her to the village, has returned often and continues to feel deeply connected.

BE REEL GAMBIA

Buba K Touray - Programme Director

“What is most exciting for me is to see myself how young people in the community can improve greatly in their lives to achieve their desired goals”

As the Programme Manager for Be Reel Gambia Buba continues to work for the local community in Gunjur, having worked previously for other local and national NGOs and political organisations in community development roles.  He has a Masters degree in Public Policy and BSc in Management and Finance.

Buba’s vision is to work to reduce poverty by transforming the lives especially of young people and he looks forward to extending the programme to other parts of The Gambia.  He is inspired in particular by the opportunities presented by the Be Reel programme for minority and disadvantaged groups and in those rural communities that are traditionally under-supported, and recognizes the significant contribution it can make to the recently published National Development Plan for the Gambia.

Lamin L Touray - Senior Project Officer

“I love education and I strongly desire to work with the Be Reel programme because it is helping to change the lives of people in The Gambia”

Lamin lives in an extended family.  He has committed his life to community work since he was young and has worked with NGOs in various projects including those serving local schools, agricultural development and building projects.  

His love for education has motivated his own development to achieve a post-graduate Diploma in Public Administration and a Diploma in Management Studies and he is excited to now employ his knowledge and experience, and strong belief in the life-changing benefit of education as the Programme Officer for Be Reel Gambia.