Experience

Launch Africa Ventures
• Mauritius
• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Outreach Consultant

  • Sep 2020 - Present


ReadDillon

• United Kingdom
• Public Relations and Communications Services

• Executive: International Projects (Freelance)

  • Jun 2011 - Present

  We are a corporate communications, political and risk analysis consultancy operating in Britain, Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. We advise governments, corporations/businesses, high net-worth individuals as well as NGO's and other public bodies and we specialise in: - political insight and networking - media relations - investment promotion and sourcing - campaigning/humanitarian intervention strategy - crisis and issues management. We are a corporate communications, political and risk analysis consultancy operating in Britain, Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. We advise governments, corporations/businesses, high net-worth individuals as well as NGO's and other public bodies and we specialise in: - political insight and networking - media relations - investment promotion and sourcing - campaigning/humanitarian intervention strategy - crisis and issues management.



Naijalink Limited

• Nigeria
• International Trade and Development
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Associate - UK (Freelance)

  • Mar 2014 - Present

  A full service market entry firm that caters to international corporations, businesses and organisations that want to enter the Nigerian market.To enter such a diverse and complex country of close to 170 million people, one needs to understand the market and meet the market before actual entry. We provide before-entry services like market research, feasibility studies and due diligence. To test the waters before making a final decision, we can arrange and host trade missions and into-the-country visits. On such trips, we would introduce any potential entry organisation to prominent Nigerian officials and personalities, to potential partners, clients, suppliers and distributors. These visits are useful as they allow potential entry organisations to see (at first hand) the business landscape that they will be dealing with accompanied by trusted advisers who are experts in the field. That landscape can pose certain challenges but, more often than not, where there is a challenge there is a mirroring opportunity. And, Nigeria is a land full of growing opportunities. Once an organisation has decided it wants to enter the market, we would then facilitate and execute the entry itself. We would carry out all the relocation and office solution services, prepare the company/business for launch and generally ease its way into Nigerian business and social society. Africa is the final economic frontier and Nigeria is the gateway to that frontier. So, get in now ahead of the curve and the crowd. As the famous saying goes: "If you see a bandwagon coming, it's too late!" Show less



Tejlex (IPC) Limited

• United Kingdom
• Retail Office Equipment

• Director and Consultant

  • Oct 2010 - Present

  (A) - Frontier Markets:Africa (Investments/Business) - Have formed a Strategic Alliance with an International firm in Nigeria to facilitate Market Entry business. (B) - Entertainment (Production): - Political action thriller feature film script// in talks with a Hollywood Producer - Acted in shows on the BBC, Channel 4, Sky and HBO (C) - Public Relations/Consultancy (Communications and Strategy): - Strategic Consultant for Launch Africa Ventures - the most active tech start-up VC firm in Africa. Raised $36.3m in LAV Fund I. LAV Fund II about to kick off with the target raise of $75m. - Completed a (7pm - 7am) very chilly 'Sleep-Out' for Centrepoint (the charity for homeless youth of which Prince William is patron) and raised funds. - Carried out advocacy and communications with respect to the 'Sleep-Out' campaign on social and digital media. - I was a member of the Host Committee for the Walkabout Foundation Benefit Gala in association with 'The Way' Premiere (NYC), that raised $300,000 for the Foundation. - Carried out advocacy and communications with respect to the Walkabout Foundation Benefit Gala on social and digital media. - Host Committee Member of the Millennium Network Event on behalf of the Clinton Foundation at the Old Vic Tunnels. The Event was attended by President Clinton with Gwyneth Paltrow and Will.i.am acting as the Gala Night Ambassadors. The Event raised about £150,000 for the Clinton Foundation. - Facilitated a meeting (for informal talks) between the First Lady of a major Nigerian State with a leading humanitarian in the United Kingdom. - Acted as Consultant for Grunge Studios at Wazobia Lounge (Nigeria stand) in Africa Village - the African countries' contribution to the Cultural Olympiad. - Acted as Strategic Consultant for Protimos at the Clinton Global Initiative 2012 in New York City. Protimos is an organisation that assists disadvantaged communities in the developing world with legal empowerment. Show less



The Beautiful Game

• Associate Producer

  • May 2009 - Present

  The Beautiful Game is a feature film documentary directed by Victor Buhler about the power of a game (football) to transform lives and communities across Africa. It has been endorsed by Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations. http://beautifulgamefilm.com/press/the-beautiful-game-film.pdf The Beautiful Game is a feature film documentary directed by Victor Buhler about the power of a game (football) to transform lives and communities across Africa. It has been endorsed by Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations. http://beautifulgamefilm.com/press/the-beautiful-game-film.pdf



Self-employed

• Real Estate
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Actor/Writer/Producer

  • Feb 2003 - Present

  2023: Writer of "Zambezi and Mako" (a political action thriller set in UK, Africa and US) - ZaM has been read and critiqued (positively) by Hollywood Execs: currently in competition. Looking for an anchor partner Production Company 2021: 'Obe' in comedy show 'BLOODS' made by Roughcut Productions for SKY TV 2020: 'Pierre' in comedy show 'AVENUE 5' made for HBO by VEEP Showrunner Armando Iannucci 2019: 'Chairman Faisal' in new Alan Partridge show produced by Baby Cow Productions 2018: 'Alicia's Father' in BBC Radio play 'Quarter Life Crisis' by Yolanda Mercy 2017: 'Alhaji' in the Feature Film 'Farming' starring Kate Beckinsale, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Genevieve Nnaji and written/directed/executive produced by Adewale Akinnuoye Agbaje 2014: 'Inebriated Banker' in 'Meet Pursuit Delange' comedy feature film directed by Howard Webster 2013: Presenter of Video 'How to Cure a Sick Child' for Medical Aid Films (NGO) 2012: Associate Producer of the The Beautiful Game directed by Victor Buhler 2010: 'King Oba' in CBBC television production of 'Relic' 2010: 'Rehearsed Reading' of Stephen Fry (First Part) autobiography 'Moab is my Washpot' directed by Evie Salmon 2009: 'Vigilante Shopper' in episode 3 of BBC2 television drama 'Moses Jones' directed by Michael Offer 2008: Part 1 and 2 of 'Hotstuff' internet comedy sketches 2008: Associate Producer on the feature film comedy 'Sisterhood' lead-acted and produced by Emily Corcoran 2006: Presenter of Pilot English Premiership Football show for Nigerian television 2006: 'Lekan' in Channel 4's 'The Window' directed by Paloma Baeza 2005: 'Moses' in 'Immigration Monolgues' play at the Southwark Playhouse directed by Gwen Scolding Show less



Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC)

• Nigeria
• International Trade and Development
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Strategic Consultant

  • Aug 2019 - Nov 2019

  A Gala Evening in Lagos, Nigeria to promote trade between Nigeria and Britain. I was the Strategic Consultant who organised the Guest Speaker for the event: Sir Martin Sorrell. For 3 months, I liaised between the NBCC and Sir Martin's outfit (S4 Capital) to facilitate the arrangements between the respective parties. The Event was attended by about 300 corporate members of the NBCC (including multinationals like Unilever, Cadbury, Diageo), local behemoths like Dangote Plc, Access Bank and, also hundreds of SMEs representing a broad spectrum of the country. It was an eclectic evening, fruitful business networks were established and consolidated together with enabling speeches by the UK Deputy High Commissioner and the Nigerian Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. Show less



Arts Global, Prospero World and Africa Fashion Fund Event at Sotheby's

• Strategic Consultant and Curtain Raiser Master of Ceremonies (MC)

  • Oct 2016 - Dec 2016

  Arts Global, Prospero World and the Africa Fashion Fund staged a much-heralded extravaganza dedicated to Africa involving art, fashion, music, culture and social enterprise at Sotheby's on the 3rd of December 2016. These 3 powerhouse organisations utilize cultural activities as a tool for development and social awareness across the entire globe. Sotheby's hosted a packed house of 300 culture vultures and business/investment gurus united in their mission and passion to deliver a veritable and tangible "Africa Rising" - both in narrative and in stark, positive reality. As part of the collaboration between these three parties, the African Social Enterprise Fund (ASEF) will be launched to provide comprehensive support for Africans working in the arts, fashion and music industries, and specifically, in the areas of leadership training, mentorship and networking. The aim is to empower and enable entrepreneurs to build their businesses whilst still being mindful of their fellow people and the planet. Show less



Emerging Africa Summit by The Alpha Professional Network

• Acting Host & MC

  • Sep 2016 - Sep 2016

  Was the Acting Host & MC for the Emerging Africa Summit that took place in September 2016 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The Summit was convened at UNFPA to discuss New Africa - that of business, investment and trade - and the process by which Africans (and their partners) can intermingle a meaningful narrative for Africa with an expressed aim (going forward) to take tangible action with respect to the continent. It was attended by numerous International Ministers, CEOs and Entrepreneurs (and various other notables) including the Finance Minister of Rwanda and the head of the Angolan Sovereign Wealth Fund. Show less



The Alpha Network

• United States
• Media Production
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Strategic Adviser to the President Credit Suisse London Summit

  • Apr 2015 - Jun 2015

  Advised the President (Didier Meledje) on strategic and communication issues for the Credit Suisse London Summit. The event was informative, succinct and very interesting. It was attended by notable persons in the Africa financial and business space such as Aubrey Hruby (author of The Next Africa), David Suratgar (Chairman of BMCE Bank), Orli Arav (Chief Investment Officer of Impala Energy), Rossie.E.Turman (Partner at Skadden) and many many others. The format took the form of (i) panel talks about African infrastructure and private equity with a distinguished line-up and then questions and answers between the two panels and the audience. Show less



Think Africa Press

• United Kingdom
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Freelance Writer

  • Jan 2011 - Apr 2014

  1) Freelance writer about African politics, finance/business, development/philanthropy and culture: • I wrote an op-ed article about Ghana and its newly-discovered oil. How will it deal with issues concerning the resource curse that has blighted other African countries in the past? • I have recently written an op-ed article about China’s influence in Africa – from a historical vantage point as well as delving into current investment and trade issues plus a look at how all this is viewed politically and socio-environmentally by the West and the wider world. 2) Interviewer of prominent Africans and Africa-connected individuals: • Interview with Duncan Goose, the Founder of Global Ethics and the One Brand 3) Blogger about cultural and entertainment matters in Africa and the Diaspora: • I wrote a blog about the rise of Nollywood – Nigeria’s Hollywood - and New Nigerian Cinema. TMP Online: 1) A Political and Cultural Analysis of the death of President Yaradua and the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan. The Pilgrim Times: 1) (Where) to be or not to be - that is the question: an analysis of the circumstances that Africans and other ethnic minorities in the Diaspora find themselves professionally, socially and spiritually in light of the effects of globalisation. Show less



EMC3

• United Kingdom
• Events Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Outreach Consultant

  • Oct 2013 - Mar 2014

  Outreach Consultant for Emc3 (an Events & Logistics company) that organised an Investment Summit for the Africa Finance Corporation in Lagos, Nigeria. The mission of the AFC is to bridge the investment divide for the development of Africa's infrastructure. Speakers and Panellists that attended included i) Jim O'Neill (Economist and Creator of the BRIC and MINT acronyms ii) Thomas Konditi (CFO of General Electric) iii) Mr Andrew Herscowitz - Co-ordinator for Power Africa (US AID) iv) Lai Yahaya (Director, Africa 2.0) v) Diana Layfield (CEO Africa for Standard Chartered) vi) Christina Duarte (Minister of Finance Cape Verde) Show less



Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation

• Nigeria
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Consultant

  • Feb 2013 - Feb 2013

  Acted as a Consultant for former President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria's Charity Launch Gala in London - an inspiring evening on behalf of a foundation whose mission is to promote the advancement of human security for the most disadvantaged in Africa. The special evening brought together former President Obasanjo’s closest friends and Foundation supporters including the Presidents of Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Benin (with many other notable guests) plus a thousand invitees to Grosvenor House, Park Lane, to discuss the importance of the Foundation initiatives and to build on the former President’s heart-felt commitment to advance human security. All fundraising will go to supporting the Foundation initiatives of Feed Africa, Youth Empowerment, Education for Girls, and the Health initiative for non-communicable and water borne diseases. Please see a clip of the video highlights http://lnkd.in/p2rVTn Show less



Damilola Oshilaja - Contemporary Artist at Grunge Studios

• Consultant and Broker

  • May 2012 - Aug 2012

  I am a Consultant and Broker to Damilola Oshilaja, an Anglo-Nigerian contemporary artist. He is an emerging multi-disciplinary artist who is a recent Master of Arts graduate in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. The research and development of Grunge Studios materialises Grunge Arte, and Arte Grunge embodies gestural principles of painting in a synthesis of iconography, and sculpture in two and three dimensions. The predominant impetus is the liberation of imagination from a sedentary reality - it is an art form that centres on the observation of, and interaction between form, the void and the landscape. Grunge Arte embraces a trust in flowing paint, intuitive lines, spontaneous and directed gesture, and raw aesthetic symbols and materials. Damilola Oshilaja's practice is involved with espousing the historical core values of fine art through a 21st Century lens, and embodies painting, curatorial and writing aspects, film and animation. Show less



The Walkabout Foundation

• Host Committee Member

  • Oct 2011 - Oct 2011

  Host Committee Member for the Walkabout Foundation Benefit Gala in association with 'The Way' Premiere (5th October 2011) - the film starring Martin Sheen and directed by Emilio Estevez. Special remarks were given by President Clinton. The Host Committee raised $300,000 on the evening for the Foundation which seeks to find a cure for paralysis and distributes its own RoughRider wheelchairs to those in most need in the developing world. Host Committee Member for the Walkabout Foundation Benefit Gala in association with 'The Way' Premiere (5th October 2011) - the film starring Martin Sheen and directed by Emilio Estevez. Special remarks were given by President Clinton. The Host Committee raised $300,000 on the evening for the Foundation which seeks to find a cure for paralysis and distributes its own RoughRider wheelchairs to those in most need in the developing world.



Africa 10

• Book and Periodical Publishing

• Development and Outreach Coordinator

  • May 2009 - Aug 2010

  • Leke liaised with politicians, NGO heads, thought-leaders, corporate players and media organisations in the UK and abroad to advocate on Africa 10’s mission and goals which is to use sport and cultural activities as a tool for developing the children of Africa • Set up prospective partnerships and strategic collaborations with some of the entities and bodies mentioned above • Drafted the Africa 10 Foundation’s Strategic Framework Document which incorporates its vision, mission, goals and potential programmes and other material • Research and policy analyst – brainstormed with other NGO leaders and think-tanks on developmental policies that could add value to Africa 10. • Assisted in the production of the Africa 10 documentary ('The Beautiful Game') about football in general, the 2010 World Cup and wider African issues and, as part of my duties, I interviewed Kofi Annan for a segment in the film. Show less



Clinton Foundation

• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Chair - Millennium Network Event (London)

  • Oct 2009 - Oct 2009

  Leke was one of the Chairs of the Clinton Foundation Millennium Network (London) Event which took place at the Dorchester hotel in October 2009 - an event attended by President Clinton which raised over £100,000 for the Clinton Foundation. The Millennium Network is an entity set up by the President to engage leaders of tomorrow (in his own words: "people who have more tomorrows than yesterdays") to participate in global issues such as: the fight against HIV/AIDS, climate change and economic empowerment of and in the developing world. Show less



Barlow Lyde & Gilbert

• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Professional Support Lawyer (Contract PSL)

  • Apr 2008 - Oct 2008

  Professional support lawyer in legal corporate division where he liaised with partners, associates and trainees throughout the firm with respect to updating precedents, managing databases, drafting reports and carrying out research. Professional support lawyer in legal corporate division where he liaised with partners, associates and trainees throughout the firm with respect to updating precedents, managing databases, drafting reports and carrying out research.



Jones Day

• United States
• Law Practice
• 700 & Above Employee

• Professional Support Lawyer (Contract PSL)

  • Jan 2007 - Jan 2008

  • Professional support lawyer in legal corporate division where he worked with partners and associates on making its corporate documents compliant with the Companies Act 2006, assisted trainees on due diligence with respect to mergers and acquisitions transactions and carried out research. • Professional support lawyer in legal corporate division where he worked with partners and associates on making its corporate documents compliant with the Companies Act 2006, assisted trainees on due diligence with respect to mergers and acquisitions transactions and carried out research.



Slaughter and May

• United Kingdom
• Law Practice
• 700 & Above Employee

• Trainee and Solicitor

  • Sep 1998 - Aug 2001

  - Trainee Solicitor in the Corporate, Tax, Litigation, Property and Banking departments - Qualified Solicitor in the Corporate department - Trainee Solicitor in the Corporate, Tax, Litigation, Property and Banking departments - Qualified Solicitor in the Corporate department