grace akpene

bespoke ‘back office’ support for artists, activists & community organisations

Who am I?

About Me

Hello! I’m Grace Akpene, your go-to project co-ordinator, researcher, poet, and all-round creative enthusiast. I specialise in bespoke 'back office' support tailored for artists, activists, and social impact organisations. My mission? To ensure that your visions are not just inspired but also organised, operational, and impactful.

I thrive on turning chaos into streamlined processes, helping you navigate the complexities of operations and finance. I believe that creativity flourishes best in a structured environment, so I focus on crafting customised solutions that amplify your unique voice and mission.

Whether it's guiding you through project management, providing insightful research, or simply offering a listening ear, I'm here to encourage and empower you to reach new heights. Let’s maximise your impact together—because everyone deserves to shine!

Learn more
  • Decolonising Economics

    “Grace, you have a calmness and clarity that has been so supportive of DE over the past few years. You helped move us from a scrappy grassroots collective to a slick operational machine - particularly reassuring for two folks who are allergic to budget spreadsheets. You created a safe space when we set up in a mainstream fiscal host, bringing all your skills, insights, experiences and spirit of working with BPOC organisers. We don't know how you did it, but appreciate you for bringing a warmth and joy to what would otherwise feel very technical and operational parts of our work. “

  • Black Feminist Bookshop

    “Grace makes managing my finances lighter. She’s great with numbers, budgets, and bookkeeping. She shares information in ways that are easy to understand. I feel confident knowing she is taking care of my administration, which helps build my capacity to do more of what I enjoy and grow the bookshop. I am excited to continue working with her and have recommended her to friends.”

  • Faith & VAWG Coalition

    “Grace’s calm, organised approach has brought a huge sense of clarity and structure to our back-end operations. She has helped us navigate complex charity management tasks with confidence, and her ability to break things down and guide us through each step has been incredibly valuable, especially as a newly formed charity.

    We really appreciated the responsiveness, attention to detail, and the way Grace adapted her approach to accommodate to our evolving needs. She has made a real difference in helping us build a stronger foundation, and we’re grateful for the care and expertise she has brought to the work.”

How can I help?

Are you an artist, activist, or part of a grassroots group looking to amplify your impact without the stress of managing operations and finances? Look no further! I provide bespoke 'back office' support tailored specifically to your unique needs.

Imagine having a dedicated partner who understands the creative chaos, helping you streamline your processes and maximise your potential. From project co-ordination that ensures every detail is attended to, to meticulous research that backs up your vision with solid data, I’ve got you covered.

I bring an innovative flair to the mundane tasks that often hold you back. I’ll handle the boring bits—like budgets, admin, and strategy—while you focus on what you do best: creating, inspiring, and making change.

Your mission deserves the best support—let’s make it happen!

  • For this, I offer fortnightly, monthly or quarterly meetings. These are to provide a space to focus on your finances and operations. In between meetings I can work on any issues that come up.

    My rate for this is £50/hour

  • You can commission me to set up a process, support with finances (eg. budgeting, producing a profit and loss) or a piece of research to advise your business strategy.

    My rate for this is £400/day

  • Through an initial consultation we can work together to establish what support you need. It may not fit into either of the options above and that's fine - I develop bespoke packages of support suitable to your budget, timeline and needs

Learn more

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Let's have a virtual coffee

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Reach out & say hi!

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I’ll be in touch shortly. I can’t wait to hear from you!