Richard Allan OBE
Richard founded MENTOR in 2002 to provide specialist operational and technical support to countries in a humanitarian emergency, with the aim of controlling and preventing diseases such as malaria, neglected tropical diseases and other vector-borne and diarrhoeal diseases.
He holds responsibility for the overarching strategy and direction of the organisation, representing MENTOR at the highest levels in the humanitarian sector. He leads on our operational research programme providing guidance and support for the development of new and innovative research interventions with particular focus on testing new vector control tools. He also directs our emergency team activities, making sure we respond to new and emerging humanitarian emergencies rapidly and effectively.
Richard has been working closely with WASH leads in WHO and UNICEF to join disease control with water, sanitation and infrastructure to progress a holistic solution to the growing threats of climate change, insecticide resistance, conflict-affected populations and the emergence of new, invasive vectors. He is also involved in global policy working groups helping to shape policies on WASH and vector-control in emergencies.
Sergio Lopes
Sergio was appointed Deputy Director in 2023 and manages the day-to-day operations working closely with the other members of the senior management team.
He first joined MENTOR in 2012 to manage a malaria control programme in northern Angola and support the NTD control programme after it was set up there. He then spent two and half years in southeast Asia, where he managed several programmes and operational research projects, focussing mainly on malaria elimination, health information systems and dengue control. Sergio returned to MENTOR in 2018 as a programme manager, supporting activities in Chad, Angola, Mozambique and Venezuela.
Sergio is a qualified public health practitioner with over 15 years’ experience in international public health programming. He started as a field medical worker in Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau in 2009, then moved to programmatic management in the areas of community health and malaria.
Adrian Connelly
Adrian joined MENTOR in 2012 and is responsible for the concept, mobilisation, delivery and oversight of MENTOR’s regional programmes. He helps ensure that the right programmes are delivered to meet the needs identified and the requirements of funding partners.
Adrian has spent most of his life living and working in Africa. Initially growing up in Nigeria he went on to work in cross cultural and international training, an international record label, media packaging before moving into the humanitarian sector. He is a professional and experienced manager with 35 years in international work, including 13 years working in operational management positions for two international companies working in Europe, China, USA and across 10 countries in Africa.
He has extensive experience of international programme development and management in the humanitarian sector, gained in complex contexts such as South Sudan and the northeast provinces of Kenya.
Sarah Wharton
Sarah was appointed MENTOR’s Compliance and Governance lead in January 2024. She oversees compliance, governance and risk management including making sure MENTOR is compliant with both donor requirements and UK and programme country regulatory requirements. She works closely with the rest of the management team and reports directly to the CEO and the Board of Directors.
She first joined MENTOR in 2016 and has held various roles including Grants Manager for Kenya; Programme Manager for South Sudan, Nigeria and the Middle East; and Consortium Manager for Central African Republic.
Sarah previously worked for Tearfund, Medair and the UK Government.
Paul Stevens
Paul joined MENTOR’s senior management team in 2020 and oversees our financial reporting, financial transactions and treasury management.
Paul qualified with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in the 1990s whilst working in Chartered Accountants’ practices based in England. After qualification, he took management positions in external audit, internal audit, financial reporting and financial control, working in industries including utilities, commodity trading, and charity provided healthcare.