Foundervine Community Advisory Group

Welcome to the Foundervine Community Advisory Group, a dynamic collective of individuals spanning various career stages, from seasoned entrepreneurs to industry pioneers.

A catalyst for unleashing the potential of underserved talent

Our mission is clear: to understand and champion the needs of our vibrant community. Comprising passionate minds from different walks of life, we are committed to crafting effective engagement strategies that empower and uplift every member of our entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Meet our community advisors

Chandila Fernando
Chairperson
Dr Parves Khan
Vice Chair
Aimee Massey
D&I Consultant Aimee Massey
Talullah Lake
Finance Lead
Nibi Lawson
Advisory Consultant
Godfrey Asare
Advisory Consultant
Karolina Jagodzinska
Advisory Consultant
Yoma Kukor
Community Advisor
Richard Oyin
Emerging Leader

Richard Oyin

Emerging Leader
Richard is a banking and finance professional with 8 years of experience in the industry. He works as a Relationship Manager at a Global Investment Bank, covering corporate clients across a number of industry segments and advising on product areas including Liquidity, FX, Working Capital, and Short Term Investments. ​ Richard has a keen interest in Financial Markets, Investing and Corporate Strategy and is currently pursuing his CFA Charterholder designation.
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Yoma Kukor

Community Advisor
Yoma is an entrepreneur and angel investor with a demonstrated history of investing in and founding technology companies, primarily focused on Fintech, Marketplace, and Clean Tech. In 2020, Yoma co-founded Vendoir, a marketplace startup. By the end of 2022, he successfully launched the app and platform, which now boasts more than 10,000 downloads. ​ With nearly a decade of experience in the UK startup investment scene, Yoma has backed some of the fastest-growing fintech companies within the country and has been featured in Forbes, Metro, and Sifted.
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Karolina Jagodzinska

Advisory Consultant
Experienced programme manager with a passion for innovation and a proven track record of delivering and supporting B2B startups. As a Senior Manager for Innovation Hub at MSDUK, she successfully led the delivery of the MSDUK Accelerator and MSDUK Innovation Challenge programmes, resulting in being shortlisted as a finalist in the UK Business Angels Association as Accelerator of the Year and winning The Innovation Thought Leader Award in the 2023 Innovation Awards. ​ As an active connector, she excels in creating strategic partnerships and leveraging collaborative networks. Her expertise includes navigating complex B2B supply chains, championing supplier diversity, and cultivating entrepreneurial cultures within communities.
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Chandila Fernando

Chairperson
Having worked with organisations as diverse as Barclays Global Business Solutions, the Sri Lankan Board of Investment, Metropolitan Group and the Amelie and Daniel Foundation; Chandila's creative, albeit unorthodox approach to problem-solving is firmly rooted in a results-driven philosophy based on the working principles of entrepreneurial economics. Comfortable on the radio and a variety of national and international stages including media channels such as Sky and BBC; he is ever ready to capture the imagination of decision-makers. This thirst for knowledge and influence led him to be a Prime Ministerial adviser before the age of 40.
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Dr Parves Khan

Vice Chair
Over the past three decades, Dr Parves has worked across the UK and overseas, leading the data analytic function for private and public sector companies including FTSE 100 businesses. ​ As a board member of TLA Women in Tech, a 5000 + strong working group of Tech London and Global Tech Advocates, dedicated to normalising gender balance and equality in the UK’s tech industries, she is committed to bringing about gender parity in the workplace and beyond. She is a mentor to young female analysts and has published numerous articles on women in leadership. ​ In May 2021, Dr Khan was awarded one of the UK's 20 top most inspirational women in Data and technology by Women in Data. Dr. Khan was most recently CEO of ESOMAR, a global trade body based in Amsterdam driving excellence in research and data analytics
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Aimee Massey

D&I Consultant Aimee Massey
Aimée works with senior leaders to develop and deliver impactful EDI strategies and organisational change that inspires and delivers tangible results. Aimée delivers her work through Future Act, a Diversity, Inclusion and Change Consultancy she founded that has supported cross-sector clients including Barclays, the National Theatre, McDonald's and Renault. Aimée has a background in global cultural marketing and is passionate about the intersection between marketing and EDI to build brands that champion inclusivity and practice what they preach. Alongside consulting, Aimée is a public speaker and supports NPO’s including the Black Talent Charter, which strives for equality of opportunity for black talent.
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Talullah Lake

Finance Lead
Talullah Lake works within Global Transactions Services at a Global Investment Bank. She supports a number of portfolios, consisting of large multinational clients, on managing their international cash management. Consulting on key topics such as working capital optimisation, treasury digitisation, and liquidity management, she works with clients to build out solutions that adapt to the changing international landscape. ​ Passionate about breaking down and confronting the social inequity in the investment landscape, Talullah is also a volunteer for the Bank’s impact accelerator program. She played an integral role in coordinating the pilot program for the expansion into EMEA and now supports the development of the program, including creating connections with key stakeholders within the industry.
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Nibi Lawson

Advisory Consultant
Nibi Lawson is a reformed accountant with 20 years of experience in Finance, Ops and Strategy. She channelled an obsession with hair and a frustration at not being able to get her hands on suitable products into building Kinky Apothecary. An afro hair brand on the surface, the Kinky Apothecary mission extends much further, and through products, education and inspiration, the company encourages self-love within the black community. ​ Realising there was a need for a more personalised experience, Nibi began building haiRx - an on-demand concierge that cuts out trial and error for a seamless, convenient, and enjoyable haircare journey. Her main goal is to shatter Eurocentric ideals and empower all women to embrace their unique beauty.
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Godfrey Asare

Advisory Consultant
Godfrey is the owner of FE&F Wealth Management, which is a financial services business that provides financial education and financial advice to individuals, families and businesses. Prior to entering the financial services industry, Godfrey spent 12 years of his career working in the retail industry as a Senior Buyer for M&S, Waitrose and Itsu. ​ Whilst Godfrey founded FE&F Wealth Management in 2023, this business idea was birthed in August 2011 when his dad, who obtained all of his financial education knowledge back home in Ghana, taught Godfrey everything he needed to know. Godfrey became passionate about financial services ever since and spent a lot of his time educating and advising others about how best to achieve financial freedom.
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Upcoming Events

October 24, 2024
•
London
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Barclays Black Founder Accelerator Showcase Day

Join the unique opportunity to network with the cohort along with industry experts and professionals.
Barclays
Showcase Day
London
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November 7, 2024
•
Campari HQ
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Wray Forward Pitch Night

Join us for a unique opportunity to present your business to investors and industry leaders for a chance to win a grant!
Wray Forward
Pitch Night
Virtual
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November 13, 2024
•
London
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The Unicorn Blueprint

Unlock unicorn traits, scale opportunities, and drive sustainable growth.
Wray Forward
Workshop
London
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November 26, 2024
•
London
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Immerse Catalyst Showcase Day

To mark the end of the accelerator, Showcase Day offers founders pitch opportunity for up to £12K from £25K funding pot.
Immerse
Showcase Day
London
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November 28, 2024
•
London
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Black Venture Growth Programme Showcase Day

An opportunity to network with UK's top scaleups in tech and innovation, alongside industry experts, mentors, and invest
Barclays
Showcase Day
London
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