Mission 44 welcomes two new trustees to the Board
WORDS
Mission 44
Published
27 Apr 2023

We’re pleased to announce the appointment of Ajaz Ahmed and Anne Mensah to the Mission 44 Board.

Mission 44 welcomes Ajaz Ahmed and Anne Mensah to its Board of Trustees

Ajaz Ahmed, Founder, AKQA

Ajaz founded the design company AKQA, aged 21. Today, AKQA is one of the world’s most awarded agencies. With clients that include Nike, Apple and LVMH, AKQA employs around 6,000 people around the world. AKQA is also the winner of a Queen’s Award for Enterprise Innovation.

Ajaz won the Spear’s Impact Award for Philanthropy in 2022 for the contribution of his charitable foundation ajaz.org. He also serves on the board of trustees for non-profit organisations including the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Virgin Unite, and The Royal Foundation’s Mental Health Innovations. He was made an MBE in 2018. Ajaz has published three books and his essays and publications are available here.

Ajaz has extensive marketing and communications experience as well as experience on the Board of a grantmaking organisation.

“I am honoured to be joining the Mission 44 Board as it looks to scale its impact both in the UK and internationally. Through investing in bold and disruptive organisations, ideas and leaders, Mission 44 is driving long term systemic change for young people across education and employment, whilst empowering changemakers and future leaders. I look forward to contributing as the organisation continues to shine a spotlight on young people’s experiences and how a fairer, more inclusive future is possible.”

AJAZ AHMED
Founder, AKQA
Mission 44 welcomes Ajaz Ahmed and Anne Mensah to its Board of Trustees

Anne Mensah, Vice President of Content, Netflix UK

Anne is Vice President of Content at Netflix UK, where she leads the teams across all genres. Prior to this, she was Director of Drama and Sky Studios at Sky UK, Head of Independent Drama at the BBC and Head of Drama for BBC Scotland. She oversees all Netflix UK commissions including BAFTA, Emmy & Golden Globe award winning Netflix drama The Crown and BAFTA award winning Netflix series Sex Education.

Anne is a trustee of Into Film, as well as a member of the 2018 Class of Henry Crown Fellows within the Aspen Global Leadership Network at the Aspen Institute. Anne was named Britain’s third most influential Black person in The Powerlist 2023.

Anne has experience in the creative industries as well as experience of organisational growth.

“I am thrilled to join the Board of Mission 44 and have been blown away by their incredible work breaking down barriers.

There are a wealth of opportunities out there, but too many talented young people are unable to access them and reach their fullest potential. I’m looking forward to working with Mission 44 and doing my part to reimagine new possibilities for talented young people whoever they are wherever they come from.”

ANNE MENSAH
Vice President of Content, Netflix UK

“I am delighted to welcome Ajaz and Anne to Mission 44’s Board of Trustees. Both will bring a wealth of invaluable insight, experience and skill to the Board, strengthening our work to transform the lives of young people from underserved communities. I look forward to working with them’.

MARK HAMLIN
Chair, Mission 44