BfN is served by a team of elected officers. Officers are elected on an interim basis. We welcome new officers on board, please contact us is to enquire how you can serve on the committee team.
Our Chief Officers
Chair : Lara Rufus
Lara Rufus has worked as a Funding Officer for the Children’s Society in the past and in her spare time operates as a Fundraising Consultant working mainly for church based initiatives. She has pioneered a Fundraising Seminar on Stewardship and Fundraising and subsequent seminar on from ‘Dream Seeds to Completion’ a practical project building seminar completed in collaboration with Forest YMCA. She is also one of the founding members of the Black Fundraisers Network, since inception in 2004, the network has grown to over 600 members. Lara has done various courses in fundraising and has completed an MSc in Charity Fundraising and Marketing at South Bank University. She currently works for Age UK as the Grant Giving Bodies Manager. She also writes a monthly column for Charities in Keep The Faith magazine.
Treasurer : Pauline Berry
Pauline has worked in the public sector for over eight years holding senior level roles across a wide range of progammes, including regeneration, skills development and youth and volunteering. With a career spanning the private , not for profit and public sectors , Pauline has also worked in fundraising at the NSPCC and in senior marketing roles in the private sector. Pauline is a founding member of the Black Fundraisers Network.
Secretary /Events Executive (shared post) : Gina Osbourne
Gina Osbourne is currently a consultant for Mouchel Management Consultancy education sector. She has also worked for Barclays Bank on capital projects and is one of the founder members of the Barclays Cultural Diversity Network where she was treasurer implementing the Sponsorship/Donation procedure for the Network. Her interest in fundraising arose from assisting community groups with their funding applications to Barclays and sourcing funds for community organisations. As trustee she is actively involved with the Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal and a Community Centre based in North London.
PR Publicity/Marketing Officer: John Mensah
John holds an MBA, and other qualifications in public relations, advocacy, fundraising, voluntary sector studies, community skills and leadership. He has attended many courses including NCVO/Barclays Leadership and Common Purpose Leadership courses. John has worked in various capacities in the third sector both locally and internationally for many years, during which he has been involved in implementing strategies related to socio economic changes, cultural integration, advocacy and policy work, as well as research and community development. John has served on many committees and board and is currently a trustee of four charities including Greenwich University. He is an expert on African affairs and a member of the Royal African Society. John is currently the founder and Chief Executive of Outreach Management Services, which provides specialised services to community groups to maximise their potential.
