The Chalker Foundation for Africa was established by Baroness Lynda Chalker in response to the need to develop and support medical knowledge and training on the African continent. Lynda Chalker has over 20 years experience of working in Africa and on development-related issues. She was Minister of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office with responsibility for Africa and Commonwealth Affairs from January 1986 until May 1997 and Minister for Overseas Development from July 1989 until May 1997.

Lynda Chalker has gained an in-depth knowledge and experience of issues facing Africa and has developed a passion for the continent’s challenges in the field of health and medical training. She very recently stepped down as Chairman of the Board of Management of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, a post she held for nearly 8 years until June 2006. She is also a trustee and patron of a number of foundations and civil society organisations in the education and heath sectors, including Chairman of the Board of the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV).