Meet Alfred Muthunathan, Trustee at the Cambridge City Foodbank

Alfred has spent over 25 years working at the cutting edge of data technology, working across continents, industries and boardrooms. But it is as a Trustee of our Foodbank that he found his deepest sense of purpose.

We spoke with Alfred to learn more about his journey, what the trustee role really involves and why he believes it’s an opportunity everyone should consider.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was born and raised in southern India and have spent most of my adult life living and working across incredibly interesting places in the Americas and Europe. I’ve done a lot of work in the technology space, and I am currently the Chief Information Officer for a large fragrance manufacturing company. It’s a wonderfully creative industry in which my role involves weaving data and tech into the heart of the business.

I also volunteer with Christ Church Trumpington, handling all the tech work, and I spend a good chunk of my free time as a freelance data and video analyst for grassroots local football clubs. This work includes watching match footage, running player and team performance analysis and sharing insights with club scouts. It is an enjoyable way to combine my love of data with something very local, community-focused and impactful.

What drew you to Cambridge City Foodbank?

I settled in Cambridge with my wife, daughter and son around nine years ago. I instantly found it such a fascinating city. It has world-class universities, enormous talent, and a young, diverse and vibrant population. And yet, it also has real pockets of deprivation that go largely unseen. When I arrived here, I became increasingly aware of just how many families were struggling to put food on the table, and, sadly, this is an issue that has remained.

As a child growing up in southern India, I saw poverty first hand. Being exposed to slum communities and families facing hunger really shaped me. Food security has been a real priority for me since I was young, and my family always believed in helping others. So, as an adult, I couldn’t be a bystander; I’ve always wanted to be an active contributor and make a difference. 

What stood out to me about the Foodbank in particular was its mission. During a conversation with the Chair of the Trustees, it became clear that this was not simply about placing food in people’s hands. Cambridge City Foodbank genuinely tries to tackle the causes of poverty and end the need for food banks. It’s that strive for real long-term change that sets our Foodbank apart. I joined the board in 2023 and knew it was the right place for me.

What are your responsibilities as a trustee?

At heart, being a trustee is a guardianship role. You provide direction, scrutinise financial reports, flag and manage risks, all to ensure that the strategic decisions being made are in the best interest of the people that we serve. Because the day-to-day operations are in brilliant hands with the staff team, as trustees, our focus is on governance and long-term sustainability. It sounds like a lot, but it is actually only a few hours of board meetings per quarter, as well as some reading and preparation and occasional away days for strategy. The time commitment is genuinely manageable, and we have such an exceptionally supportive chairman and group of trustees that make all the difference.

One brilliant thing about the role is being able to apply your own unique set of skills. For me, I bring a digital lens to the board. This allows the board to engage in conversations around the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and use technology to help us anticipate need, rather than simply react to it. Across our board, we have broad range of professionals from industries including finance and health, and everyone’s professional background translates into meaningful support.

What would you say to someone considering becoming a trustee?

Do not underestimate what you can give to the Foodbank, and do not underestimate what you will receive in return.

Joining the board isn’t about being an expert in poverty. Our Foodbank needs people who bring their own professional skills and judgement to the role. What really matters is your commitment to support and govern the organisation. I sit on boards in my professional life too, but discussing how our Foodbank serves families across the city feels entirely different from talking about quarterly revenues.  It has brought me a sense of purpose unlike anything I have experienced in my corporate career and feels like a mission I’m carrying forward. It’s a genuine opportunity to give back, and provides a feeling I’ve never felt before.