About Us
Our Mission
At Fair Trade Electives (FTE), our mission is to transform medical elective placements in the Global South by creating a more ethical, fair trade based system that benefits both students and host communities. We aim to provide high-quality, impactful elective experiences for medical students, while supporting local healthcare providers through transparent, meaningful partnerships.
Our focus is on fostering mutual respect, learning, and ethical responsibility in global health education, ensuring that both students and host organisations benefit from the experience.
OUR TEAM
Jon Dowell
Academic Lead
Jon is an Emeritus Professor of General Practice at the University of Dundee, having retired in 2023.
Jon’s academic career involved a broad array of research activity and teaching roles, including leading the Dundee MBChB programme before becoming the inaugural Programme Director for ScotGEM. As electives lead for Dundee he established the UK Medical School’s Council Electives Committee.
Amy Blake
Chief Executive
Amy started her career at the British Red Cross and since then has held various senior roles including Head of External Affairs at Capability Scotland, Director of the International Voluntary Service and Chief Executive of Classrooms for Malawi
Amy’s specific interests and areas of expertise are global citizenship, international volunteering and skills exchange, study abroad, global healthcare, sustainability and climate education & justice.
Katy Daniels
Trustee
Katy is a General Practitioner and Clinical Senior Lecturer at Dundee Medical School, responsible for the electives programme for final year medical students. She has recently taken on the role as Chair of the UK Medical School’s Council Elective Committee.
Katy has a Masters in Medical Education and has been involved in various pieces of research around electives in the global south and led research into the feasibility and value of medical electives in an alternative African country for African medical students
Chris Poulton
Advisor
Chris is a serial entrepreneur and technology investor with a string of successful exits. He is chairman of Added Value Capital Partners which helps build the high growth companies of tomorrow, mentoring senior management and entrepreneurs and assisting them in creating and driving forward their strategies.
He currently supports a number of startups with a focus on clean technology and sustainability.
Ana Pinto
E-Learning Lead
Ana brings a wealth of experience in education and critical thinking to Fair Trade Electives, having held academic positions at the University of Cambridge and, as the Founding Director and CEO of the Cambridge e-Learning Institute.
With extensive relevant experience, including as a course director training mental health professionals for charities in Africa, Ana is helping us create engaging Pre-departure Preparation modules for students.
OUR STORY
Fair Trade Electives was born out of a desire to change the traditional model of medical electives, which often lacks transparency and can be After years of working with medical students and host organisations in the Global South, our founders recognised the need for a system that not only provides valuable educational opportunities but also that uplifts local healthcare communities and respects their needs and contributions.
We are the first charitable organisation focused on bringing fair trade principles to the elective process. Our unique approach is built on collaboration, fairness, and ensuring that students engage responsibly in the global healthcare landscape.
What Makes Us Different?
We believe in creating a system that works for everyone involved. Here’s how FTE stands apart:
Responsible Elective Placements
We are committed to providing elective opportunities that respect and support local healthcare providers. By partnering with trusted host organisations, we ensure that elective placements are educational, sustainable, and beneficial to the community.
Fair Trade Principles
We operate on fair trade values, which means creating equitable, transparent, and respectful relationships between students, universities, and host organisations. This ensures that hosts are not exploited, and students have a meaningful, well-supported experience.
Charitable Model
FTE is a charity, which allows us to focus on making elective placements accessible and impactful, without the profit-driven pressures. We offer students the opportunity to fundraise for their host organisation, contributing directly to the local community’s needs.
Quality Assurance
Our robust Quality Assurance system ensures that elective placements meet high standards, with feedback from both students and host organisations. This enables us to continually improve and provide the best experience for all parties involved.
Our Core Values
Collaboration: We believe in working together — with students, medical schools, and host organisations — to create the most impactful experiences.
Integrity: Transparency and honesty are at the heart of everything we do. We aim to build trust by acting in the best interest of both students and hosts.
Mutual Respect: We value the expertise and contributions of our host organisations and are committed to ensuring they benefit from the elective process as much as the students do.
Global Citizenship: FTE fosters responsible global citizens by teaching students the importance of ethical participation in global health.
Our Partners
We work with selected Universities in the UK and host organisations across the Global South, who share our commitment to ethical and educational elective placements. These partnerships are central to ensuring students have meaningful learning experiences while contributing to the health and well-being of local communities.