Beltus Etchu

Chief Executive Officer / Founder

(BA, MSc, FRSA, Accredited Assessor (EFQM)

Beltus is the founder of Next Step Initiative (NSI). He holds a BA in Business Accounting with Distinction, and an MSc in

International Finance Management. Beltus is the Chief Executive Officer of NSI. He is also the co-founder, Fellow, and Director of

the Centre for African Policy Development and Research Scotland and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He has a wide and

extensive experience in social entrepreneurship and enterprise through his pioneering work of successfully establishing and

developing the Next Step Initiative’s Workspace and Business Hub, which is the leading African and Ethnic Minority Social

Enterprise in Scotland. His entrepreneurial expertise and grasp of commercial opportunities in Africa has earned him appreciative

recognition and respect within the private sector. He has over 15 years international business experience with special focus on

trade with Africa. During this period, Beltus has led and facilitated high-level discussions with various African

Missions/Consulates/Embassies in the UK and his input and direction has enabled numerous companies/investors to successfully

engage and now trade with commercial markets in Africa. Beltus is an advisor to leading UK corporations in the Financial

Services, Technology, Capacity Building and Energy Sectors.