Yalu means friend. The Yalu Collective brings people together to help create better learning spaces for children and young people.

The Yalu Collective exists to turn friendship into action. We bring together ambassadors, businesses and supporters who believe that education should not be limited by the condition of a classroom.

We are starting in Sri Lanka, working carefully and transparently with trusted local partners to support school and education projects that can make a lasting difference.

Friendship that builds futures

Our Story

The Yalu Collective began with a conversation about how we could use our networks, skills and resources to create something bigger than ourselves.

We saw an opportunity to bring together business leaders, professionals, friends and supporters who wanted to make a practical difference. Not through one-off gestures, but through a collective effort built on trust, transparency and long-term impact.

Rather than acting alone, we wanted to create a community where many people could contribute in their own way, helping to fund projects that improve learning environments for children and young people.

Our Projects

  • We are currently identifying our first education project with local partners. Before funding is released, every project will go through due diligence, trustee approval and written reporting requirements.

  • Before funding is committed, every project goes through a clear process of review, due diligence and trustee approval. Once approved, projects are delivered with local partners and monitored through regular reporting and updates.

    By taking a careful and transparent approach, we can ensure that every donation contributes to projects that are practical, sustainable and capable of creating lasting impact.

Our Trustees

  • Shelly Fernando

    MANAGING DIRECTOR OF 24/THREE

    Shelly brings energy, passion and a wealth of industry experience and connections to 24/Three. As Founder and Managing Director, he’s helped grow the practice from its beginnings in lockdown to a thriving team working across Northampton and Newark. He’s happiest when he’s cooking, although he does have a soft spot for the occasional KFC every now and then.

  • Chris Williamson

    PRESIDENT OF RIBA

    Chris brings decades of architectural experience, leadership and a genuine passion for mentoring the next generation of architects. As President of RIBA and Founder of Weston Williamson Architects, he’s helped grow a practice from two colleagues into a 200-strong team working across five countries. For Chris, though, it’s the people he’s met and the young architects he’s helped along the way that have made the journey so rewarding.

  • Alex Szarawarski

    MANAGING DIRECTOR OF BROADGATE HOMES


    Alex brings leadership, experience and a passion for creating thriving communities to his role as Group Managing Director of Broadgate Group. He leads the group’s housebuilding, land and care home businesses, with a focus on long-term strategy and sustainable growth. He’s also a keen runner, although he’ll be the first to admit that runners come in all shapes and sizes.

  • Joseph Silva

    ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT AT SGP


    Joseph brings a design-led approach and a love of the psychology behind architecture to his role as an Associate Architect at Stephen George + Partners. He works across nationally significant industrial schemes, leading their design and delivery. Outside of architecture, he’s a musician, comedian and artist, although as he puts it, results may vary on all four.

  • Charlie Simpson

    BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE LEAD AT LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY

    Charlie brings a passion for architecture, education and widening access to her role at Loughborough University, where she leads the Bachelor of Architecture programme and the MArch Design Studio. She’s a firm believer in learning through making, sketching and doing, and is a keen DIY enthusiast with more spirit levels than she has hands!