Our staff
Our team bring together a wealth of skills.
Working closely with counterparts in our sister organisation, the Malawi Scotland Partnership, committed SMP staff members bring together a wealth of skills, experience and perspectives. Our Team is also periodically enriched by colleagues who join on fixed-term contracts and internships, as part of university courses.
Stuart Brown
Interim Chief Executive
stuartb@scotland-malawipartnership.org
Stuart joined the staff of the Scotland Malawi Partnership (SMP) in August 2018, having previously volunteered on the SMP’s Board for four years.
Stuart previously worked for almost 10 years with GALVmed (Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines) who support the Centre for Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in Lilongwe to produce an effective and economically sustainable vaccine against East Coast Fever (ECF). ECF is a disease of cattle which impacts Malawi and another 11 African countries.
As Interim CEO, Stuart is providing continuity whilst the SMP’s Board plan a competitive recruitment process. In the meantime, Stuart is leading and supporting the rest of the team, to champion the priorities of and be responsive to the challenges faced by SMP Members and to act as a bridge with other networks and sectors.
Stuart has a background in English Teaching, International Development Communications and BBC Radio Journalism.
Married with one daughter, Stuart is the author of “Mma Ramotswe’s Cookbook” and enjoys, cooking, reading, traveling, cycling, and walking.
Chad Morse
Interim Deputy Chief Executive
chad@scotland-malawipartnership.org
Chad joined the team in August 2022 and is available to respond to Youth & Schools related questions, projects related to school trips to Malawi, Teacher training/educational trips and enquiries concerning young people from Scotland volunteering in Malawi.
Chad lived in Malawi for twenty years where he taught primary school and later served as the head teacher until he and his family moved to Scotland in July 2020. While in Malawi, Chad was an active member of the Mountain Club of Malawi and the Malawi Wildlife and Environmental Society.
Chad and his wife try to escape in their Madaza Bongo campervan as much as possible at the weekends in order to do some hiking. In April 2022, they completed the West Highland Way Challenge in four days for MacMillian Cancer Support. The blisters are almost healed and they are focusing on the next big walk!
Alan Laverock
Finance & Administration Officer
finance@scotland-malawipartnership.org
Alan joined the team in April 2020 as Finance and Administration Officer, having previously served on the Audit and Finance Committee for some years. Alan has been a chartered accountant for more years than he can remember, for almost 25 years in private practice in Dunoon, Argyll.
He has been involved in overseas development - primarily in Malawi - since 2007. Prior to that, he volunteered for many years with Abernethy Trust and Scottish Crusaders among others.
Dorothea Nelson
Administration and Membership Officer
dorothea@scotland-malawipartnership.org
Dorothea joined in January 2023 as Administration and Membership Officer having worked in various administrative roles for several charities and latterly as office manager at Christ Church Morningside.
Not originally from Scotland, Dorothea has lived and worked in South Africa, Germany and Switzerland before coming to Scotland over twenty years ago. Growing up in various countries and speaking different languages has emphasised for her what links us rather than what keeps us apart.
After a house move Dorothea is delighted to now have a garden to design and grow flowers and - hopefully - vegetables in.
Natasha Maluza
Communications and Engagement Officer
natasha@scotland-malawipartnership.org
Natasha joined The Scotland Malawi Partnership in March 2023 as the Communications and Engagement Officer. Originally from Blantyre (Malawi).
Moved to Scotland to pursue her master’s in Digital Marketing in 2021. Has 10 years’ experience in Communications and Marketing, both in the corporate sector and charity organisations. She is passionate about the ‘girl-child’ and has volunteered in schools in Malawi
In her spare time Natasha is a “foodie”, and has been food blogging for a couple of years. If you’re ever visiting Malawi and looking for recommendations to dine or grab a quick bite make sure to visit her blog on Instagram @Food.Malawi for all the spots.
Ian William Mitchell
Youth & Schools Officer
mitch@scotland-malawipartnership.org
Mitch joined the team in August 2023 and is available for any queries regarding Youth and School involvement in Malawi, especially Partnerships between groups in Scotland and Malawi.
Having recently retired from teaching Physics in Fife for over 30 years, he has been heavily involved in the school partnership between Beath HS and Mapanga PS/Njale PS in Malawi. Having visited the Malawi schools three times, he is aware of the positive impact of partnerships.
Away from all things Malawi, Mitch is involved with Age Grade Rugby and volunteers with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Ellie McKenzie
Volunteer
Ellie is from Edinburgh and is currently studying her undergrad degree in London doing International Development with NGO Management. She was inspired to study this specific area after 8 months of living and volunteering in Malawi. She continues to work closely with a local NGO based just outside Blantyre called Bangwe HIV/AIDS Self Help Initiative (BAHASI), and it is a big passion of hers to continue to support the development of this amazing organisation.
She loves to travel - which has led her to visit a few other Southern African countries - and also loves to read a good book!