Cheryl Ankrah-Newton is an entrepreneur, accomplished business development professional, and the CEO and Co-Founder of Illuminate Africa Group. An entity that holds shares provides advisory and invests in various platforms across Africa, including traditional retail and hospitality as well as e-commerce and online ventures. She is an active and vibrant individual with a charming and enigmatic personality that helps her captivate and inspire her colleagues and clientele. Cheryl holds a BSc with Honours in Urban Estate Management and she is a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, both of which have allowed her a diverse experience in the property business. Cheryl has almost two decades of experience in the property business in European and African markets. Furthermore, she has held senior positions for leading Global property companies, including Hammerson plc, Land Securities plc & Jones Lang LaSalle, which proves her capabilities and success in property work.

In a decorated professional career and further to Co-founding Illuminate Africa Group nearly a decade ago, Cheryl has successfully connected with institutions, entrepreneurs, NGOs, and Start-Ups to develop business, drive value, impact change and focus on transforming lives. She has managed numerous projects of great significance with solid leadership, intense coordination, and negotiation skills. Cheryl has administered in multiple organisations in various capacities and accumulated extensive experience and expertise in organisational structures, leadership management, project management, e-commerce, and retail & hospitality ventures, with an elevated level of technical and commercial understanding demonstrated by an outstanding record of achievements.

As a professional, Cheryl’s philosophy has always been to embrace adversity to improve continuously and bring order to chaos. She is a polished professional with impeccable discretion, exceptional communication skills, an entrepreneurial mindset, clear-eyed confidence, and a sharp eye for detail. As an adaptable individual with a proven capability to perform in multi-ethnic environments, Cheryl works effectively with people from different departments and organisations. As a leader with substantial experience in various leadership and management roles, she can take responsibility for any project through to completion. Her skills and expertise have enabled her to influence executives, key decision-makers, and hired technical resources.

Cheryl is also the owner of a personal cashew farming project in rural Ghana which has been in operation for over a decade and currently provides work and income to local villagers.