Core Team
Senior-led from the first conversation.
At Pagiola, every engagement is led and delivered by senior experts and not delegated to junior consultants. This is a commitment to quality.
George Manu
Founder & CEO
Experience
35+ years spanning international development, advisory and governance
Footprint
60+ countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and beyond
Background
Former Partner, KPMG — led International Development Advisory Services (IDAS) in Africa
Languages
English, French, Italian, Akan
Education
BA (Hons) Textile Marketing, MSc Management, PhD Business Administration, Durham University, UK
Certifications
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK
Governance
Board and chair roles across private sector, public institutions and development organisations
A senior executive with over 30 years of experience spanning international development, advisory and governance, the Founder and CEO of Pagiola has delivered specialist assignments in 60+ countries, working at the intersection of finance, policy and strategy, and private sector development.
As a former Partner at KPMG, he led International Development Advisory Services (IDAS) in Africa. IDAS oversaw complex programmes, projects and fund management exceeding USD 1.5 billion across sectors including agribusiness, financial inclusion, health, remittances, renewable energy and climate resilience. He served as Africa Lead Partner for the World Bank and Deputy Lead Partner for the African Development Bank.
Previous leadership roles include CEO of EMPRETEC Ghana Foundation and Head of Enterprise Development at the International Labour Organization Training Centre in Turin, Italy. His earlier career includes academic appointments at Durham University Business School and the University of Stirling, as well as a Visiting Professorship at China Europe International Business School (CEIBS).
His governance experience spans board and chair roles across private sector, public institutions and development organisations, including venture capital, sustainability and audit quality oversight.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, George holds a BA (Hons) in Textile Marketing, a MSc in Management and a PhD in Business Administration from Durham University, UK.
Sectors & Areas of Focus
Jennifer Pierre
Senior Consultant
Experience
20+ years of strategic consulting and public-sector experience
Background
Deloitte & Touche and Booz Allen Hamilton
Certifications
Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR); Project Management Professional (PMP)
Languages
English, French, Creole
Education
BA, University of Pennsylvania; MSc in Public Health, Harvard University, USA
Jennifer Pierre leverages over 20 years of strategic consulting and public-sector experience to deliver tailored, high-impact solutions. With roots at Deloitte & Touche and Booz Allen Hamilton, she leads complex project management and monitoring and evaluation efforts, uses data analytics and impact storytelling to inform decision-making, and drives business development.
Jennifer guides executive teams through the full strategic planning process to build resilient, future-focused organisations. As a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources, she pairs her strategy expertise with deep HR strengths in organisational strengthening, succession planning, and talent acquisition and retention.
Fluent in French, Creole and English, she combines analytical rigour with collaborative leadership to uphold Pagiola's commitment to bespoke, confidential service and measurable results. A certified Project Management Professional, she holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MSc in Public Health from Harvard University, USA.
Sectors & Areas of Focus
Tabitha Njuguna
Senior Consultant
Experience
15+ years in fund and grants management, agribusiness, finance and venture building
Background
Enviu, AFEX Ltd, KPMG
Footprint
15 countries across Africa and Europe
Certifications
Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K)
Languages
English, Swahili
Education
Bachelor of Business Management, Moi University, Kenya; MSc Agricultural Economics, SOAS, University of London, UK
Tabitha Njuguna has over 15 years of experience spanning fund and grants management, programme delivery, agribusiness, finance, accounting, venture building and private sector development across Africa and Europe.
With a finance and accounting background, her work has included designing and managing grant management systems, supporting challenge funds and strengthening delivery models across agriculture, climate resilience and financial inclusion across Africa.
Most recently at Enviu, Tabitha has supported the design, launch and growth of agribusiness ventures from ideation through to scale. Earlier roles with AFEX and KPMG strengthened her expertise in commodity value chains, finance, advisory services, risk and compliance, and programme governance.
A Certified Public Accountant, Tabitha holds a Bachelor of Business Management from Moi University and an MSc in Agricultural Economics from SOAS, University of London.
Sectors & Areas of Focus
Our Model
How the senior-led model works.
Principals on every engagement
Unlike larger firms where senior staff win work and juniors deliver it, Pagiola's principals are directly involved throughout — from scoping to final delivery.
Scalable expert network
Where engagements require additional specialist expertise, we draw on a trusted international network of senior consultants — all vetted and aligned with our standards.
Lean and agile
Our model is deliberately lean. This means faster mobilisation, lower overhead and a sharper focus on what matters to the client.