Anthony Kasozi, a leadership coach and consultant who brought a rare lightness of touch and the courage to address difficult truths, has died of cancer at the age of 65. His work spanned organisations including the International Committee for the Red Cross, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the African Academy of Science, and the Mental Health Foundation. He specialised in leadership development, often guiding directors and multinational teams through stressful situations, and was known for creating calm, possibility, and a way forward that brought out the best in people.
Early life and education in Uganda and Kenya
Born in Kampala, Uganda, to Erifereti Kasozi, an industrial chemist, and Yunia (nee Njuki), a home economist and daughter of the Baganda chief Simione Njuki, who advised during the London constitutional conferences negotiating Uganda's independence, Anthony attended Budo college. At 16, fleeing Idi Amin's rule, he and his family left for Kenya, where he completed his A-levels at Starehe Boys' School in Nairobi.
Move to the UK and career beginnings
He came to the UK in 1979 to study for a degree in international studies at Birmingham University, where he met fellow student Tanya; they married after graduating in 1982. Initially, Anthony worked for PwC, then as part of the consulting arm of Ashridge Business School in Hertfordshire, before setting up his own firm, Quilibra Consulting, in 2008. The author became friends with Anthony when he delivered a leadership development programme for Ashridge at Hewlett-Packard, where the author worked as a senior manager.
Personal qualities and publications
Anthony possessed extraordinary intellectual, emotional, and social intelligence. He had a lightness of touch with groups, the courage to say difficult things when needed, and a wonderful sense of humour. Aside from his consultancy work, he co-authored The Leadership Shadow (2014) with Erik de Haan, and most recently published a book of his own poems, Starting Points (2025).
Family and legacy
He and Tanya, who worked for the British Red Cross before becoming a bereavement counsellor, spent their life together in Surrey, except for a two-year period in 1990-92 when they lived in Uganda working for the charity ACET (Aids, Care, Education and Training). She survives him, as do their daughters, Alex and Robyn, and two grandsons.
