Five Talents UK is delighted to announce that Stuart Palmer has been appointed to the role of Executive Director, taking over the helm from Tom Sanderson who grew Five Talents in the UK from a standing start eight years ago. 

The appointment carries full operational responsibility for the UK office which has dual fundraising and programme oversight responsibilities.

Stuart has just returned to the UK after serving 8 years in Malawi as the Executive Director of CURE International.  Before that he spent 7 happy years at Traidcraft, the last 5 as Marketing Director.  Married to Zoe, they have three children, Iona, Ben and David.  David joined the family in Malawi and is adopted.

Commenting on Stuart’s appointment, Graham Carr Chairman of Five Talents UK said “Stuart has turned organisations around in the North-East of England and The Warm Heart of Africa – Malawi – so with all that experience he can take us to new heights from a base in Southern Britain and we believe he will”.

Stuart stated “I am passionate about seeing people set free to be all that they can be.  Poverty is complex and stifling, as I have seen first-hand these last eight years.  To me, Five Talents is about releasing people from the prison of poverty to enjoy all that they have been created to be.  It was impressive to see people who joined a simple voluntary savings and loans scheme be able to rapidly grow and develop their businesses in very creative ways as a result of having access to more capital.  I am excited to be joining the team at Five Talents at this time and believe we have a great future ahead.”

Sonia Patterson, Stuart’s counterpart at Five Talents US said “Stuart is simply full of energy and extremely passionate about the job, he really resonates with the mission and vision of Five Talents”. 

Read Stuart’s personal reflections about his new role here.