Samalie Lutalo is a civil servant, currently working on international development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Born to Ugandan parents and raised between London and South Africa. She has recently become engaged.

I am very proud that Samalie agreed to work with me in the development of this portrait and I hope it accurately reflects her personality; smart, capable, personable and effective. Samalie give you confidence in the future of the British civil service.

Samalie said: “This image was inspired by the feminine confidence of Josephine Baker, a famous African-American entertainer in Paris during the 1920’s. The portrait captures a strong sense of self-assuredness and a willingness to disrupt the status quo. The glamorous tone of the picture adds the element of performance – an awareness of being seen – and a celebration of the self.

I think that this portrait is an accurate representation of my current life motto: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how do you do it” – Maya Angelou.”