Director of Finance and Strategic Development

Ousman Manjang is a highly accomplished finance and strategy professional with over 20 years of experience across both public practice and industry in The Gambia and the UK. He holds prestigious professional qualifications, including FCCA (Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant), FMAAT, and an MSc in Professional Accounting.

As Director of Finance and Strategic Development, Ousman provides critical leadership in financial management, long-term planning, and organisational growth. He ensures United to Make a Difference CIC operates with financial transparency, sustainability, and strategic foresight.

Beyond his professional credentials, Ousman is a passionate mentor and advocate for migrant empowerment. He has helped shape mutual aid networks supporting vulnerable communities in areas such as housing, education, food security, and emergency relief. Through his leadership, Ousman promotes a powerful vision of migrant communities as agents of change—shifting systems toward inclusion, dignity, and resilience.

Director of Community Engagement & Advocacy

Bampha Jaiteh is a seasoned community leader with over 30 years of professional experience spanning both the private and public sectors. His journey in community development has been rooted in service, resilience, and a strong belief in the potential of every individual—especially those from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds.

With 13 years of direct experience supporting young people involved in the criminal justice system, Bampha has helped transform lives by guiding young individuals toward self-belief, responsibility, and growth. His work has earned him recognition for his compassionate, yet effective, approach to youth intervention and behavioural support.

Bampha has been a cornerstone of grassroots leadership in Leeds, playing a pivotal role as a founding member and long-serving chair of his local community organisation for over two decades. Under his leadership, the group achieved charitable status and became a beacon for migrant families seeking guidance on immigration, employment, domestic advocacy, and integration.

He has also served on the board of the Leeds African Community group, helping shape city-wide strategies and delivering support to diverse communities across Leeds. His ability to engage across cultures, mediate conflict, and advocate for inclusive policies continues to make him a trusted leader within the city.

A confident public speaker and a passionate community advocate, Bampha holds a postgraduate qualification and currently works as a civil servant. His dedication to justice, cohesion, and social transformation defines his role at United to Make a Difference CIC.

Director of Operations & Community Services

Sheriffo Sawo is a dedicated and dynamic community organiser with a strong academic foundation in Accounting and Finance. Over the past decade, he has applied his skills and passion across the fields of financial management, youth development, and community food support, consistently delivering meaningful, people-centred impact.

Sheriffo currently leads operational delivery for United to Make a Difference CIC, where he oversees services such as food distribution, emergency support, and youth engagement programmes. He previously worked as the Foodbank and Cultural Food Hub Coordinator at one of the largest charities in Leeds, where he spent three years designing and managing culturally sensitive food support services for vulnerable families across the city.

Before this, Sheriffo spent five years at a youth training institution, combining financial oversight with programme development to empower young people with training, mentorship, and life skills. His work has always been grounded in dignity, empathy, and respect.

In addition to his professional contributions, Sheriffo has volunteered for over 20 years with TGWS, a grassroots organisation supporting migrant communities in Leeds. There, he has led initiatives ranging from youth football tournaments to the distribution of food and energy vouchers—bridging gaps and building trust across cultures and generations.

Sheriffo’s leadership style is collaborative and solutions-oriented. He thrives on bringing people together, responding to urgent needs with efficiency and compassion, and creating systems of support that truly reflect the communities they serve.