After completing a law degree at Kings College London LLB, Chris was called to the Bar in 1990, following which he established Trafalgar Chambers on Fleet Street, becoming “the youngest head of barristers’ chambers in the last century” according to the Sunday Times. During this period Mr Cleverly was a regular presenter on Channel 4 and contributor to the other main channels, radio and newspapers. Since then he has been board member of a number of companies in UK, India, China and Africa both listed and private in a number of sectors. As CEO of Made In Africa Foundation, Mr.Cleverly was co-architect of the $1.5 billion Africa50 fund with the African Development Bank which has been lead investor in a number of large scale renewable energy projects.

Chris has advised a number of UK plcs on their entrance into African markets, including negotiation of oil blocks, mineral concessions and banking licences. He also advises the UK Government on development issues and African governments on investment issues. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Reading University in 2014 and has recently completed a course in Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School.