Black History and Ziggi

Why Ziggi Connects

In 1980, I spent 9 weeks traveling across the USA visiting inner city community projects and meeting activists, politicians, writers, teachers, librarians, curators, community leaders, artists and other change agents, including the Reverend Jesse Jackson and Coretta Scott King. I was quickly convinced that the UK needed to establish its own Black Cultural Museums and create a designated Black British History Month.

I developed a few successful History projects, such as co-curating the seminal Roots in Britain exhibition (1980), but I was determined to do my bit to open up the employment market for other migrants, and more underrepresented groups. With my professional background in human resource management, I worked in politically and managerially complex organisations employing up to 53,000 people (eg Head of Human Resources, Birmingham City Council). When I changed direction to join the NHS - appointed UCLH Director of Corporate Development – a significant part of my job was to contribute to negotiations for the closure of four run-down hospitals and co-ordinate the public consultation for the development of a world-class healthcare hub in central London.

When I left the NHS, I created my own consultancy business (Ziggi Alexander Consulting), working mainly in Whitehall departments, eg the New Medical Careers Unit (Department of Health), local Councils, regulatory bodies (eg The Standards Board for England), other public sector and voluntary agencies, such as the European Social Network, General Medical Council, and Hertfordshire Constabulary. In addition, I managed a portfolio of non-executive/executive roles across the range of sectors. Over several years, this included trustee of the National AIDS Trust and the Social Care Institute for Excellence, a non-executive director of a FTSE company (6.5 years), and group Board member of Southern Housing Group, one of three Independent Members of the National Policing Improvement Agency, member of the King’s Fund Grants Committee, as well as Interim Executive Human Resources Consultant for Citizens Advice HQ. I also found time to volunteer in Education, Arts and community settings. When I was chair of an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body - CCETSW - I frequently travelled in Europe, and all over the UK, including chairing meetings in Belfast during ‘The Troubles’. That Executive NDPB role led to me jointly hosting a dinner for hundreds of guests at Lancaster House, and I accepted a CBE for services to Health and Social Care.

When the opportunity arose, I carved out time for my historical research by publishing articles and books (see Resource lists), contributing to national exhibitions eg “The Edwardian Era" exhibition at the Barbican Centre, running courses, and speaking engagements, including international conferences in Leipzig and Washington DC. Closer to home, I was the keynote speaker at the Mary Seacole Centenary Celebration at Westminster Cathedral in 2005.

The passion hasn’t died; hence Ziggi Alexander Connects:

• our diverse heritage

• past histories and present stories

• communities of interest

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