The Executive Board of Directors
The Executive Board sets the direction for the OWIT UK Chapter and manages the day to day activities.
To contact the Board, please email admin@owituk.org
Founding President
Noreen is an entrepreneur and strategic advisor specialising in marketing, business growth, gender and international trade, with a portfolio career spanning private enterprise and entrepreneurship. She is the Principal of Market Accents and serves on several national and international boards advancing inclusive trade and entrepreneurship. She was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours in June 2025 and currently serves as President of the Organisation of Women in International Trade International (2026–2028).
Co-President
Véronique Rapetti
Véronique is an amazing trilingual, strategic and impact-focused Learning & Leadership professional who is currently Product and Learners Experience Manager at Insights.
Vice President - Partnerships
Nicole Pitter Patterson
Nicole is an experienced Senior Development Consultant with a demonstrated history of working in international trade and development, with a focus on MSMEs, women’s empowerment, creative industries and digital skills training for girls.
Vice President - Marketing
Elisabeth is a highly experienced professional in digital marketing, mass communication and event organisation. She oversees all marketing operations for Global Trade Review where she also plays a key role in formulating its digital and brand strategy.
Vice President - Partnerships
Fungai Samushonga is an entrepreneur, CEO of the Veracity Group, a group of companies that provide consultancy services, international recruitment and healthcare services in UK & Globally, with Hubs in UK, US, Dubai, India & Canada.
Vice President - Marketing and Promotions
Elsie is a global trade and regulatory compliance professional with experience advising organisations on cross-border trade operations, export controls, compliance frameworks and governance within international business environments. She brings expertise in trade compliance, stakeholder engagement and strategic implementation across multinational settings.
Vice President - Membership
Divya is a director of a UK-based international trading company specialising in the sourcing and export of agricultural commodities. She has experience in international trade operations, supplier development, export compliance and cross-border partnerships, supporting global supply chains across Asia, Africa, Europe and the UK while promoting responsible and inclusive trade practices.
Vice President - Secretariat
Patricia is a distinguished leader in international trade, investment, and diplomacy, with over 20 years of experience bridging markets across the UK, Europe, Asia, and Africa. As the Director of the International Centre for Protocol and Diplomacy (ICPD) and Principal Consultant at Synergy Systems Consults (UK), she specializes in leveraging “soft power” and diplomatic protocol as strategic tools for global economic growth.
OWIT UK Advisory Board
Chair - Advisory Board
The OWIT UK Executive Board is assisted by an Advisory Board chaired by Savvitas President and Founder, Helene Martin Gee. A serial entrepreneur with businesses from technology to healthy snacks, Helene is Founder of award-winning businesswomen’s network Savvitas, with Patrons The Rt Hon Theresa May MP and Tessa Sanderson CBE.
Advisory Board Member
Sue Lawton MBE is a global expert on women’s economic empowerment with a particular interest in corporate and government supply chains. She chairs the World Business Women and has extensive international experience in moderating discussions on women’s entrepreneurship.
Advisory Board Member &
VP International Development
Fiorina Mugione is a global expert on entrepreneurship, SMEs and gender with over 30 years of experience in development cooperation, including 15 years at the senior managerial level in investment and entrepreneurship development. She is also a coach and mentor.
Advisory Board Member
Yvonne Greeves is an accomplished senior leader, Chair and Non-Executive Director with extensive experience in financial services, business transformation, and governance. She previously served as Director for Women in Business at NatWest Group, where she led the design and delivery of the bank’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, championing gender equality and access to alternative finance both in the UK and internationally. She has advised financial service institutions globally on their women’s market strategy.