Emmanuel Mbakwe

Career History

My career path has been broadly bi-vocational, starting in marketing management. In the early years, and for the most part, I worked in line management for some of the leading consumer markets companies in the world. I then moved into management consultancy, first with KPMG, before setting up as an independent. At the same time I was a Pastor in a local Pentecostal Church in south London, where I was responsible for, among other things, the Church’s mission and community outreach programme. That was until 2008, when I was called to serve as the National Leader of the Apostolic Church, UK, the mother Church of a worldwide body that is present in 100 nations, with an estimated 15 million members, and a Movement that was birthed as a result of the Welsh Revival of 1094-1905. Since the end of my two terms as National Leader my bi-vocational journey has continued, on the one hand helping leaders and organisations focus on their core business issues, and at the same time supporting local Churches through teaching ministry, helping para-church organisations, as well as mentoring established and emerging leaders in the Church and secular space around the world.

Tell us something about yourself we wouldn’t expect?

I know what it means to be in a war. I know what it means to be a refugee, and a so-called internally displaced person. I know what it means to go without food. I know what it means not to be in full time education at a very young age, for a period of three years because of war. Hence my commitment to a gospel that is redemptive in every sense, with a strong commitment to social justice, a heart for the poor, the needy, the voiceless, powerless and marginalized in our world.

Why did you decide to become a trustee for Premier?

I was one of those who signed the petition in support of Premier those many years ago when the campaign for a Christian radio station in the UK was on. For the last four years, I supported Premier with my professional skills as a management consultant.

The invitation to become a trustee was for me a natural progression of my commitment to the vision that is Premier.

Why is this important to you?

My conviction is that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only hope for the world. That I believe is Premier’s reason for being and my reason for my agreeing to serve on the board of trustees.

What would you want with you if stranded on a desert Island?

How many items am I allowed? The first thing would be my bible (in paper print, not in electronic form, as I presume there would be no WiFi), followed by other tools that would help support my physical survival.

If you could invite anyone (past/present) to be at your dinner party, who would you choose and why?

If one is only allowed one person, it would be a figure from modern history – Nelson Mandela. I would love to hear his story, directly from him. I am sure there are huge lessons to be learned from his journey.