“
Science and technology can have an extraordinary impact. We want to help drive Africa’s development by inspiring and unleashing the next generation of female scientists and engineers”.
— Tom Ilube CBE
Chair, African Gifted Foundation
Tom Ilube CBE
Tom Ilube CBE is the Chair of the British education charity, the African Gifted Foundation, and launched the African Science Academy (ASA). He is also the Chair of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Prince’s Trust, which is being renamed The King’s Trust.
Tom is a technology entrepreneur and educational philanthropist. He is the founder and CEO of London-based Crossword Cybersecurity plc, a Non-Executive Director at WPP, the world’s largest advertising group, and has previously served on the Board of the BBC.
He is an Honorary Fellow of both Jesus College, Oxford, and St Anne's College, Oxford. His extensive contributions to education include founding and leading several schools, including Hammersmith Academy as its Founding Chair and ADA College, the UK’s National College for Digital Skills, among others.
In 2017, Tom was recognised as Britain’s most influential Black person. He was honoured with a CBE in 2018 for his services to technology and philanthropy and has received Honorary Doctorates from several universities.