Board Members and Patrons

Mr Arty Hyseni is the Chairman and CEO of Beart and Gibson Group, a global leader in different industries from Commodity Trading, Construction, It and Media, to Education, Consulting, E-commerce and more. With a track record of wide-range experience, working in the private, Government and Commercial sectors, a serial entrepreneur for the last 25 years, he has driven the Group’s business growth throughout Europe, Africa, Est Asia, and Balkans, providing excellent services and products in the many industries that the Group is involved, by staying committed to supporting communities’ economic and social growth.

But Africa has always been the focus and the heart of Mr Hyseni’s business activities and travels.

His connections with Ethiopia started in 2012, when travelled to the country for the first time, with his good Ethiopian friend and work colleague Mr Engida Bekele, a Beart & Gibson’s Group board member, looking at opportunities to expand the Group’s business activities in the coffee bean market.

Exploring this culturally rich and diverse country, boosting an ancient civilisation like Lalibela and Axum, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, made him feel connected, or as Mr Hyseni would say “right at home’, to the local culture and people. Having travelled to the country continuously for the last 12 years, he developed a deeper appreciation for Ethiopia’s culture and traditions, creating a sense of belonging and ease.

With a heavy focus into expanding the business in Ethiopia, Mr Hyseni started working in 2016 with “Golden Call”, an entertainment show, while looking to investing in other governmental and local projects in construction, agriculture, education, and consultancy services. These days his business activities have a level presence in the country based on meaningful business relationships.

Committed to attracting investments to Ethiopia and boosting its profile on the world stage, Mr Hyseni, recently founded the British Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce, promoting bilateral trade between UK and Ethiopia, aiming to support, and encourage businesses and enterprises beneficial for both, bringing economic and social development.

Mr Hyseni is often in Addis Ababa, either working on current projects, speaking at events or just enjoying this city with his family and friends.

Founding partner and Chairman at Great Value Energy one of the top plastics and recycle company in Ethiopia and Founder of TYB LLC which is a global trading and sourcing company, Mr Bishaw, is an International independent business and financial advisor. He is also involved locally and oversees the operations of multimillion-dollar organization by facilitating international and public fund.

He is now spearheading major strategic shifts for transforming IT, and Renewable Energy Technology from functional focus to an enabler of innovation for the business and integrating the finance organization.

Tewodros took several business courses and micro master programs from various world-renowned universities and institutions like; IMF, World Bank, Wageningen University, University of Maryland, Harvard University, New York University, Yale University. He consulted number of banks and companies in Ethiopia in the sector of international finance.

Laurence served as a Member of Parliament for 27 years. In his later years in Parliament, he was appointed the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Ethiopia, Zambia, and Angola. He also chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Ethiopia & Djibouti from 2009 to 2024. Outside of Parliament, Laurence chaired the Westminster Africa Business Group for over 20 years. He is now a Director of Theoc Consultancy Ltd, a company that supports UK businesses in exporting to Africa and assists African companies in establishing a presence in the UK. Laurence has led numerous trade missions to African countries, including Ethiopia.

Adamu Getachew is an experienced finance leader with a proven track record across NGOs, financial institutions, and flagship enterprises, including Ethiopian Airlines, where he held senior roles. His expertise spans strategic financial transformation, governance, and cross-border compliance, most notably leading the successful adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) within Ethiopia’s state-owned enterprises.

A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and holder of a BSc in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University, Adamu is renowned for his ability to bridge technical rigour with executive leadership. He has advised boards and C-suite executives at Ethiopia’s leading organizations, elevating financial governance and operational resilience. As a board member of the Ethiopian Post Office, he helped in institutional strengthening through a world-class financial reporting system prior to his relocation to the UK.

Adamu is also a co-founder of Aspire Insight Consulting Ltd, a firm driving digital transformation, regulatory compliance, and leadership development across Ethiopia and the UK. As Director of Maven Consultancy Ltd, he continues to influence industry best practices. His dedication to societal impact is equally notable, exemplified by his 2025 London Marathon participation and campaign supporting children with special needs in Ethiopia.

Adamu’s career is a testament to his visionary approach—merging financial acumen, transformative leadership, and a steadfast commitment to fostering Ethiopia-UK economic collaboration.

Mekdes Mezgebu is the founder and principal of Mekdes & Associates, a specialist law office in Ethiopia. The office provides legal and corporate advisory services for local and international clients in the infrastructure sector, including power, energy & mining, transport & logistics, aviation, housing, health & education, public-private partnerships, and project finance transactions. Mekdes has worked in several transactions involving large-scale foreign investment in Ethiopia and has advised clients ranging from governments, public utilities, development finance institutions, commercial lenders, and project sponsors. Mekdes is recognized by international legal institutions including Chambers & Partners, Legal500, and IFLR.

Mr Teferi Melesse was appointed as Ambassador in London in September 2020.

His extensive career as a diplomat started when he joined the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1993. Mr Melesse has served at diplomatic missions to the People’s Republic of China in Guangzhou (Consul General 2018 – 2020); in Brussels, Belgium (Minister Counsellor 2010 – 2014); Harare, Zimbabwe (Chargé d’Affaires 1999 – 2000); in Geneva at the United Nations as Chargé d’Affaires in 1998 and Consul General between 1994 and 2001.

His excellency has endorsed and fully supported throughout the establishment of British Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce.