Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute (SPII) – an independent research think tank that focuses on generating new knowledge, information and analysis in the field of poverty and inequality studies – is pleased to welcome seasoned journalist and communications specialist Alan Fine onto its board of trustees.

Fine, who worked as a trade unionist for the Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers’ Union in the 1980s after graduating from the University of the Witwatersrand, is currently the Communications Executive at Russell & Associates. Prior to this, he enjoyed an 11-year run as Public Affairs Manager at AngloGold Ashanti where he focused on matters of sustainability and public policy.

“What Alan brings to SPII is an ability to identify long term scenarios and the critical sequences that would lead to optimal impact on both an economic and social front,” said Isobel Frye, the Director of SPII. “This skill will aid critical depth to the strategic thinking that our Board is doing in reflecting on the required strategies and tactics necessary to realise SPII’s vision of reducing poverty and inequality through the realisation of constitutional rights, especially the socio-economic rights in a shifting dynamic, as the organisation enters its tenth year.”

Labour relations, politics and policy have always been his forte having spent most of his 18-year journalism career writing on these themes – this insight will be useful to the organisation, particularly in its advocacy for comprehensive social protection and the engagement with all social actors on critical choices and affected people regarding resource allocation priorities in a manner that supports formal political commitment to transformative social and economic transformation.  Fine comes with a wealth of knowledge around communications that will strengthen SPII’s stakeholder engagement.

“I look forward to supporting the invaluable work SPII carries out for the future of SA,” said Fine about his appointment. “In particular, I hope to be able to contribute to SPII thinking about how best to engage with other social partners to achieve the adoption of measures recommended in the institution’s research.”

To download press release, click here: SPII welcomes Alan Fine onto its Board of Trustees