Andrew Tanswell

Andrew is an experienced social entrepreneur and business leader. Andrew is the founder of ToughStuff, a social enterprise providing solar energy solutions to very poor people in Africa. In just over 2 years, as the CEO, he has built this into a company operating in over 12 countries with just under 200 staff. Toughstuff has recently raised new, multi-million investment to achieve increased international scale. Andrew has been recognised for his contribution to Social Impact and Innovation and was made a Tech Award Laureate in 2010 and was a winner of the prestigious GSBI in 2009. Andrew studied Engineering at Imperial College and is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer. He has considerable strength and understanding of international aid and development having worked in governance and field positions (Somalia, Iraq) for Medair an emergency relief agency. Andrew worked as a management consultancy before building a number of businesses, charities and social enterprises as well as co-founding The Shaftesbury Partnership.