James has worked on a wide range of projects with children, young people, and communities in England, South Africa, and Sierra Leone, including roles with both local and international NGOs. Before establishing Laughter Africa, he spent five and a half years working for CAFOD.
He holds a Masters in International Development from the University of Manchester, where he researched street children, and a BA (Hons) in Community and Youth Work Studies from Durham University, along with a JNC qualification.
James relocated to Sierra Leone in 2015 to established Laughter Africa.

Anne-Marie works as a technical writer for a technology company. She previously worked in financial services in London and Amsterdam. Prior to that, she completed a PhD at the University of Manchester in the field of Italian Studies, and spent time living and working abroad in Italy. She has a Masters degree in European Literature, and a degree in Music and Italian. She lives on the Wirral with her partner and two children. In her spare time, she likes spending time with family, reading, playing piano and playing drums in a Wirral-based samba band. She helps write funding proposals for Laughter Africa.

David Cartmell qualified as an accountant in 2001 and has worked within the fields of accounting and finance for 40 years, with the past 20 years working for a U.S. Investment Bank. David is married to Joanne and they have 3 children. He was a School Governor at his local for 7 years, with the final 4 of those years in the post of Chair of Governors. He then took up a Board position for a Shrewsbury Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust, of which he is a Director and Vice Chair. David enjoys family walks, playing golf and running and has previously completed the London Marathon to raise funds for Laughter Africa.