Tim Gocher OBE: Founder and CEO

Tim is a finance executive with a background in energy and technology, and is also CEO of Dolma Impact Fund – an international investment fund building businesses and jobs in Nepal. He is also Honorary Professor of Sustainable Business at The University of Nottingham. After nine years at Deloitte and J.P. Morgan, and an MBA from London Business School, Tim became Managing Director at listed investment bank Interregnum plc. He is an expert in raising and deploying private capital for sustainable poverty alleviation, technology clusters and Special Economic Zones. He has advised governments, sovereign wealth funds and private developers around the world, including in China, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Portugal and US.

When Tim first visited Nepal in 2003, it changed his life. He was stuck in the remote ethnic-Tibetan village of Bridim by the monsoon rains, and had no choice but to stay there. He was moved by the beautiful simplicity of life and the profound lessons he learned from the villagers. It was on that trip that he met Dolma and her family, and shortly afterwards founded the Dolma Foundation.

Tim lives in Kathmandu with his Nepali wife Pooja and three children.

Tim Gocher, received the OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2022 for services to British Investment and economic development in Nepal.

In his words: 

“ I’m thrilled and shocked! It feels even more special on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. There can be nothing more important for economic development and tackling social inequality than educating the poorest and most marginalised children, to help them participate in the new economy. This award is recognition of the work that we and all of our donors and partner institutions have been doing for nearly 20 years, and encourages us to do more. ”

David Grigson, Trustee

David is currently chairman of Trinity Mirror plc, one of Britain’s largest newspaper publishers with 260 titles including the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror. David is also chairman of Creston plc and on the board as a non-executive director of Standard Life plc and Ocado plc.

A Chartered Accountant, David was formerly Chief Financial Officer of Reuters plc and best known for the restructuring effort he undertook alongside CEO Tom Glocer which ultimately resulted in the £8.7bn mega-merger with Canadian rival Thomson. Until 2015 he was a board member at Standard Life plc, one of Britain’s largest insurance companies, and formerly a director at Carphone Warehouse plc.

When David first travelled to Nepal with the Dolma Ecotourism, he was struck by the peaceful joy with which the local people went about their daily lives. He has been on the board of Trustees since 2007.

Archie Cameron  CBE, Trustee

Archie was Director of Operations in Finance and Administration at the House of Commons until his retirement in 2004. He was born and brought up in a remote village, population approximately 100 in the West Highlands of Scotland. He spent the first half of his working life in HM Revenue and Customs, in a variety of roles. He was then seconded to the British Museum for six years, initially to set up, and manage, an internal audit function, followed by responsibility to reorganise and manage back office services. There followed a two year secondment to the House of Commons, to set up and manage an internal audit unit, including the development of a professional training programme. His position was made permanent within the two years.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of the Arts, Manufacture and Commerce. He is a fluent speaker of Scottish Gaelic, with a lifelong interest in its culture and music. For a number of years he was treasurer of the Gaelic Society of London. He has lived in Southend-on-Sea for the last 35 years.

Ashley Smith, Trustee

Ashley has been employed by The Salvation Army since 2002, and now holds the post of EDO (Employment Development Officer). His prime area of focus is the training and preparation of Adults with Learning Difficulties for the workplace.

He has been a Director and Company Secretary of the Dolma Foundation since 2007 and has travelled to both Nepal and Ethiopia to oversee projects.

He has been involved in the UK Scout Association for some 20 years, holding posts including District Secretary of the Southend Estuary District Executive Committee. He currently holds the post of Chairman of 4th Thorpe Bay Scouts.

Elizabeth Gocher, Trustee

For the last eight years, Elizabeth has worked as a para-legal secretary in the area of wills and probate law. Prior to that she spent twenty years as Administrator and Secretary of Cecil Jones College, one of the largest comprehensive schools in south-east England.   This role included the organisation of pupil admissions from the primary schools, truancy control and the administrative side of school trips.

Elizabeth is a keen tennis player and currently represents Essex in the ladies County team for her respective age. She has travelled to Nepal, advising on educational administration.