Jane Akadiri, founder of Touch of Love (TOL) and managing director of Streetfood Packaging Ltd, has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) by Robert Gordon University (RGU) in recognition of her outstanding leadership in community service, youth empowerment, and sustainable enterprise.
The award was conferred during RGU’s graduation ceremony held on Thursday, July 3 at P&J Live, Aberdeen, marking a significant professional milestone for one of the region’s most influential social entrepreneurs.
A graduate of RGU’s MBA programme in 2016, Jane launched TOL in 2020 in response to growing inequalities in Aberdeen’s most underserved communities. What began as a grassroots initiative has since grown into a vital hub for food security, youth development, cultural inclusion, and employability support.
Jane Akadiri’s leadership and commitment to community transformation through TOL has earned national acclaim, marked by a series of prestigious awards:
- Inspirational Leader Award - 2025 National Youth Work Awards, recognising her visionary role in empowering young people across Aberdeen.
- Charity of the Year (Under £100K Turnover) - 2025 SCVO Scottish Charity Awards, celebrating Touch of Love’s measurable grassroots impact.
- People’s Choice Award - Voted by the public from among 41 finalists across Scotland, reflecting the charity’s strong community support and trust.
Her influence extends well beyond the younger generation, reaching deep into family and community wellbeing. Under Jane Akadiri’s leadership, TOL has delivered essential support across multiple fronts:
- Over 40,000 food parcels distributed to more than 35,000 individuals, helping families facing food insecurity and financial hardship.
- Educational seminars for 350+ parents, covering vital topics such as: Autism awareness, Domestic violence prevention, Financial literacy and household budgeting.
These efforts reflect a holistic approach to community care - supporting not just immediate needs, but long-term empowerment for families navigating complex challenges.
Through her dedicated efforts in employability, Jane has empowered more than 60 individuals to cultivate essential job skills and successfully transition into the workforce, creating tangible pathways for those frequently marginalised from opportunities.
Jane Akadiri is passionate about creating systems that truly include everyone - especially New Scots and ethnic minority families who often go unheard. Through TOL, she has been a consistent voice for change, championing more inclusive support services that reflect the realities of people from diverse backgrounds. Her work goes beyond advocacy; she builds platforms where young people can celebrate who they are, proudly expressing their culture through art, storytelling, and performance.
She is especially known for developing youth-led spaces that help young people embrace their dual identity - both as Scots and as members of global cultures.
Professor Steve Olivier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, remarked, “Jane is a successful entrepreneur who has taken it upon herself to improve the lives of young people and their families in Aberdeen.
“Her hard work makes a positive difference, and I’m sure her time at RGU has helped her become an inspirational leader both with TOL and her own business. Jane’s time at RGU will continue to have a bearing on life as she continues to provide a guiding hand to communities around Aberdeen by providing the kind of support they require.’’
By pushing for more inclusive systems and empowering young people to lead with pride in their roots, Jane is helping to shape a Scotland where every voice matters - and every background belongs.
Alongside her charity work, Jane leads Streetfood Packaging Ltd, a company focused on supplying biodegradable food containers to the food service industry - highlighting her ongoing commitment to sustainable business and local enterprise development.
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