Aziza Ajak is Principal of The Grange Academy in Bushey. A science teacher by training, she was previously part of the founding leadership team of a new school, helping to establish it as the highest-performing in its borough. Alongside her leadership work, Aziza has served as a trustee on the Teach First Board, contributing to national conversations on education.

Having grown up in a community similar to those Mission 44 seeks to serve, Aziza understands first-hand the importance of opportunity and aspiration. A positive school experience enabled her to progress to graduate and postgraduate study at universities including Durham, UCL, and Imperial College. She is deeply committed to the transformative power of education and ensuring that all young people, regardless of background, have access to it.

Bukunmi is currently in Year 13 studying Maths, Physics and Art, and is an aspiring engineer. Having curated an exhibition at the Surface Design Awards and being an alumni of the Ardagh Young Creatives, she uses her art as a mouthpiece for the younger generation. By becoming a board member, Bukunmi hopes to provide support for young people aiming to get into STEM and the creative industries.

Jason is CEO of Mission 44. After starting his career as a teacher in East London, he has held leadership roles in the non-profit sector, including at Teach First, the #iwill campaign and Youth Futures Foundation. Jason also served as a senior local councillor in London. He holds a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Oxford and a Masters in Education from the University of Cambridge.

Joshua is an Officer Cadet for the Royal Air Force and entrepreneur pursuing an undergraduate degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Beyond numbers and equations, he sees engineering as a powerful tool for innovation and change. Joshua joined the board as he is deeply committed to breaking down cultural and ethnic barriers that can limit the potential of young people, instead encouraging them to recognise and use their strengths to make meaningful contributions to society. 

Louis is currently on a year abroad at Heidelberg University whilst completing his Physics and Astronomy Master’s Degree at Durham. Having received the Laidlaw Research and Leadership Scholarship, and featuring in Powerful Media’s 2021/22 Future Leaders publication, Louis is committed to creating a future of ethical leaders, and applied to the board because he believes in the importance of youth empowerment to drive this change.

Mark Hamlin is Chair of Lewis Hamilton Ventures, Lewis Hamilton’s management company.

Born in Johannesburg, Mark was deputy Chairman of Cable and Wireless Communications plc. For the last eight years, Mark has acted as an advisor to a global humanitarian organisation headquartered in New York.

Matthew Otubu is a Senior Strategist at the Cabinet Office, where he collaborates with fellow civil servants across the UK Government to plan and coordinate the design, development and delivery of the Prime Minister’s domestic and foreign policy priorities through strategic communications and campaigns.

In addition to Mission 44, Matthew volunteers as a Board Member at NCG Corporation – the leading nationwide group of seven colleges enabling social mobility and economic prosperity
through exceptional further and higher education.

Michael is a high school student studying French and Modern Studies. Outside school, he has worked with the Scottish government, civil society and National Human Rights Institutions on Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights. He will start studying his MA in French and Politics at the University of Edinburgh in September. Michael applied to the board because he is driven by true co-production, centring work on a human rights-based approach.