Founder & Chief Executive Officer

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Charles Gimoh is the Founder of Refuge Network International. He is a Consultant in international human rights law, an author, and an expert on strategic migration. In addition to the day-to-day running of the organisation, Charles is responsible for developing and managing Refuge Network's collaborative partnerships with corporate entities.

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He started his volunteering journey in the early 80s as a Boy Scout, was active in various voluntary organisations in secondary school, and led a group of over 300 university students during his undergraduate days at the university.

Charles is proud of his Black African background and Britain, his beloved adopted country. Having lived on three continents and travelled to over 30 countries, many of them poor, he has witnessed the ravages of poverty and seen the devastating effects of social inequality in communities across the world.

His passion for social justice, borne out of a vision to see the equitable distribution of humanity’s collective socio-economic and cultural patrimony to benefit the world’s poor and marginalised people, led to the founding of RNI and catalysed his PhD-level research efforts in law focused on finding answers to some of the many challenges facing the global poor.

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He has various certifications in international trade and holds a Master of Laws degree from the University of London.

Charles coordinates the activities of RNI globally. He also heads HCI and JP International, two other non-profits.

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Volunteer Teams

 We work with groups of volunteers on all projects. They are a vital part of the team, and we would be unable to do anything significant without dedicated voluntary members.

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Our volunteers are local and global; representing multiple nationalities including, Great Britain, Morocco, Italy, Algeria, Syria, Azerbaijan, Germany, France, USA, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Portugal, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Romania, Latvia, Thailand, and a host of other countries.

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We pride ourselves on being an inclusive collective. Though, a network of three distinct non-profits, we are a collectivity of committed volunteers from diverse backgrounds, with different skills, inclusively working collaboratively to protect the dignity of disadvantaged people, promote equality for all of humanity, and facilitate mutual prosperity. 

In terms of advancing our causes which generally revolve around promoting access to fundamental rights to food, health, education, housing, and an adequate standard of life for all of humanity,  there is still much work to do as billions of people are still living in precarity and poverty. We are therefore open to welcoming new volunteers to join us in the fight to advance the collective good.

Director of Support Services Refuge Network UK

Born in Birmingham, England, to Nigerian parents, Josephine Gimoh spent her early years in the West Midlands before relocating to Africa, where she completed her basic education.

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Besides some qualifications in business, she is a trained teacher with years of experience teaching children and young people.

Josephine has a Degree in Human Resource Management and Marketing from London Metropolitan University, a Postgraduate Certificate in Integrated Practice in Childhood and Youth, Postgraduate Diploma in understanding Children's Development and Learning, and a Masters Degree in Childhood and Youth.

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Josephine is involved in RNI's humanitarian missions to Africa and European countries, including Greece and Italy. She is very active in our homeless outreach programmes and is one of the Directors of Refuge Network UK.

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Outreach Team Leader 

At the age of 17,  eager to test and explore a more open and inclusive atmosphere, Marco Seccomandi left Bergamo, Italy for the UK, where he completed his higher education. 

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Marco holds a Bachelors degree in Marketing from Queen Mary University, London, and a Masters degree in Supply Chain Management from Cass Business School.

He is currently a Buyer for an international chemical company. Having spent 9 years of his life in the UK and communicating on a daily basis with international suppliers in his buyer role, Marco has developed an open global mindset, and a continuous interest in visiting new countries.

This year, he joined Refuge Network International, and decided

to enrich his personal goals by further expanding his global network of friends, and passionately contributing towards making a lasting impact on homeless people.

Marco sees himself as a very determined, sensitive and stubborn individual with a passion for perfection. He speaks fluent Italian and English, and has an intermediate knowledge of French and Spanish.

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He is our Outreach Team Leader for Soho.

Data Bank Coordinator

Emily graduated from the University of Bristol with a Law degree in 2018 and moved to London in 2020 to pursue a career at the Serious Fraud Office, where she currently works as an Investigator. 

Emily enjoys her work, fighting for justice for victims of financial crime. She empathises with those who are put in difficult financial situations, often through no fault of their own, and seeks to help in any way she can. 

Emily has always been involved in volunteering, from helping out at her local Girl Guides to weekly telephone friend calls with Age UK. The cost of living crisis has really highlighted the struggle many individuals and families face to access things as basic as food, which was a huge motivator for Emily joining Refuge Network International. She has embraced and enjoyed getting involved with the charity so far and is keen to continue helping. 

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Emily is the coordinator of our data bank.

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Associate Professor & Transformational Leader

Dr. Derrick C. Samuels is the ‘Voice against Stagnation’, addressing more than 150,000 people worldwide each year. As a highly passionate speaker, highly regarded business consultant, author, professor, and transformational leader, he embodies the skill, integrity, vision, and drive to become one of the most prominent inspiring thought leaders. 

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Dr. Derrick is a Certified Project Management Professional, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA in Management and; PhD in Applied Management and Decision Sciences and; has taught for DeVry University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, American Military University, Argosy University, and a host of other colleges and universities in the United States. 

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He is the founder and President of ‘Derrick Samuels Leadership Institute (DSLI)’, p4 Consulting Group, Inc., and the host of ‘Evening with Dr Derrick’. 

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Derrick is on the advisory board of Refuge Network International.

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Research Coordination Officer

Geeta Mahapatra is a Law with Sociology graduate and has been volunteering with Refuge Network International since early 2022.

Geeta is passionate about poverty alleviation and the protection of marginalised communities. She has experience in crisis intervention, refugee resettlement and support services.

She believes that through research, root causes of human suffering can be identified and effectively addressed.

Geeta is our Research Coordination Officer. She was recently appointed to this role to help organise the research activities of volunteers.

Vice President Citi Bank Nigera

Ike Iyasele is an ardent supporter of our cause and a member of our advisory board.

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Ike graduated top of his class with honours in Banking and Finance from the University of Lagos. He holds a Masters degree in Business Administration and recently obtained a Master of Science in Financial Sector Management from SOAS, University of London.

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He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, and an Associate of both the Nigerian Institute of Management (ANIM) and the Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria (ACPIN).

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Ike is actively involved in humanitarian work and spends some of his spare time doing voluntary work in prisons and juvenile centres.

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Director of Housing & Environmental Programme

Giada is an Italian architect and 3D artist who moved to London to start her dream job. After graduating in Architecture in 2018, Giada was inspired by a human rights-oriented non-profit organization and moved to her native Vietnam, motivated to make a difference in the local community.

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She had many international experiences during her studies, moving to China and the United States during her Master's program and working on an environmental project in Abu Dhabi, but Vietnam was what changed her the most.

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Volunteering for seven months in a world so different from the one she grew up in had a profound impact on Giada. Following her decision to settle in the UK, she decided to do things differently. Initially, she volunteered for a food organization and then she met Charles and joined his fight to support the homeless community.

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Giada knows no language or cultural barriers when volunteering, and this is something her experiences and career have taught her: inclusivity and participation are the foundation of a strong society, and only a strong society can change positively as the future progresses.

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Giada is our Director of Housing & Environmental Programme.

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Director of Community Health & Youth Development Programmes - No Poverty Campaign

Seliatu Rhoda Ohimor is a Pharmacist with versatile working experience spanning both the Public and Private Health Sectors. An avid learner with a knack for professional excellence, She has a string of degrees including Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm), Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD),  Master in Health Planning and  Management ( MHPM), Master in Public Health (MPH). She also holds a Certificate in Project Management in Global Health from the University of Washington, USA. 

An Addiction Prevention/Treatment Professional with training from the United States Colombo Plan DAP program, she is the Head Counsellor, Revamp Support Hub; a Counselling Outfit that provides Addiction Recovery and Mental/Emotional Health Counselling/Support services. She is also the Lead Coach, Skilful Parenteen Hub. 

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A member of various national and international professional associations including the Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Association of Community Pharmacists Nigeria (ACPN) and International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), she presently works as Community Pharmacist in Lagos, Nigeria. Seliatu is the director of our No Poverty Campaign Community Health and Youth Development Programmes.

Director of Medical & Strategic Outreach Projects - No Poverty Campaign

Dr Agbontaen Lucky is a humble and upright professional, who brings an extra level of dedication to any task or assignment under his purview.

Lucky is a medical doctor by training. A graduate of one of Nigeria's finest universities, he also possesses a postgraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences.

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With strong cross-cultural experiences, he has worked locally in Nigeria his home country, and internationally, in the Americas, improving the medical, psychological, and physical well-being of diverse people. In his former role as a director of missions in Nigeria, he coordinated outreaches to rural communities and campuses of tertiary institutions bringing hope and providing material support to many. 

Presently, he is a Lecturer at the prestigious University of Benin, where he is devoted to training the next generation of medical doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and other categories of healthcare professionals at the medical school. 

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Lucky is our Director of Medical Outreach Projects at No Poverty Campaign.

Youth Ambassador and Special Assistant to the Executive Director

Caprice Gimoh is a teenager currently doing her A-Levels in one of the UK's top schools for girls where she is a Deputy Head Girl. She has been involved in programmes for gifted and talented children, including those of Mensa: the high IQ society.

When she’s not doing academics, Caprice is volunteering with RNI to help make a better world for us all. She has been part of our non-profit since the beginning and has participated in self-funded humanitarian trips to Senegal, Morocco, and elsewhere. 

As a youth ambassador, she is a voice for young people, ensuring their interests are effectively represented within our team. She also serves in a voluntary capacity as a special assistant to the executive director.

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Regional Adviser for North Africa & Head of Documentary Film Projects

Mourad Jaouat is a documentary filmmaker, photojournalist,  and humanitarian activist from Berlin, Germany. Originally from North Africa, he is fluent in German, Arabic, and English languages. He also communicates in French.

Mourad is widely travelled and has devoted a significant chunk of his time working on refugee-related projects. 

Since 2015, he has been documenting migration flows in Europe and Africa for various news agencies.

From economic migrants fleeing poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa, to refugees braving the treacherous waters of the Mediterranean; from stranded refugees in the Balkans to migrants trapped in the notorious Lesbos refugee camp in Greece, Mourad has captured their harrowing experiences with the lenses of his cameras.

Today, he mainly advises photographers and videographers in Germany. He is the regional adviser for North Africa and head of our documentary film projects.

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