Our Team

Jasvir Singh CBE – Co-Founder

Jasvir Singh CBE is a prolific activist within the British South Asian community. He is an established family law barrister who has been in practice for over 17 years and is based in London. He is a trustee and patron of several regional and national charities within the faith and minorities sector, including City Sikhs, the Kaleidoscope Trust, and the Faiths Forum for London. He is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day, listened to by over 7 million people. In 2017, he organised grassroots events across England to mark the 70th anniversary of the events of 1947 in the Subcontinent. He was awarded an OBE in 2017 and a CBE in 2023 for his extensive community work, and he was given the prestigious Alumnus of the Year award by King's College London in 2023. He is a co-founder of South Asian Heritage Month.

Dr Binita Kane – Co-Founder

Dr Binita Kane is a Consultant Respiratory Physician in the North West of England. She was a contributor to the BBC1 Documentary ‘My Family Partition and Me’ which aired in 2017 for the 70th Anniversary of the Partition of India. Her personal journey led her to Parliament in 2018 to campaign for commemoration of key events in history such as the 1947 Partition of India. She went on to create ‘The Partition Education Group’, bringing together multiple stakeholders from across the UK to campaign and create material for the inclusion of British-South Asian and Colonial history on school curricula. In 2018 she co-founded South Asian Heritage Month, launching the campaign live on BBC Breakfast in 2020. She has since become a respected voice in diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI), being named on the Diversity Power List 2024/25, a list compiled to recognise 50 of the most innovative and inspirational people in the UK. Dr Kane also works extensively as a voice for people with chronic illness and disabilities, championing inclusion and diversity in healthcare.

Laks Mann MBE – LGBTQ+ Lead/ Trustee

Laks Mann MBE is a dynamic Creative Strategist, award-winning DEI expert, and an accomplished public speaker. He is particularly recognised for his ground-breaking contributions to LGBTQ+ advocacy and community integration. Laks has enjoyed a stellar career across the corporate, charitable, and public sectors. Most notably, Laks became the UK’s first openly gay South Asian and Sikh police officer, breaking barriers and championing inclusivity within law enforcement. Laks is a Winner in the UK's Top 100 Influential People 2025. He was awarded an MBE in 2024 for services to charity, integration, and LGBTQ+ communities, and was also named LGBT+ Trailblazer 2024 at the British LGBTQIA+ Awards. Other accolades include being listed in the Diversity Power List 2022/23 and winning LGBT+ Positive Role Model 2020 at the National Diversity Awards. He is a Mayor of London appointed EDI Advisor, a Trustee for South Asian Heritage Month and caba, and the Founder of Gaysians UK.

Natasha Junejo – Trustee

Natasha Junejo has written under a pseudonym for ten years. Through her writing she has spoken on BBC Woman’s Hour, Lena Dunham’s Women of The Hour, BBC Asian Network, City Radio, and Europe & Me. She is a freelance Communications and D&I consultant committed to creating access and opportunity for the marginalised. In 2016, she co-founded two social justice movements focused on exposing and fighting racism and xenophobia that gained worldwide press attention and influenced government policy. She is the founder of South Asian Writers, a hashtag that went viral in 2017, inviting writers of South Asian descent to introduce themselves and their work. She leads the Literary arm of South Asian Heritage Month

Suman Gujral – Literature Lead

Suman Gujral is a multidisciplinary artist working with print, textile and poetry. In 2024, she founded Third Space, a platform for South Asian poets. Third Space has produced two anthologies of 50 poems by South Asian poets from across the globe. A third anthology called Out of the Ashes is planned for 2027- which will be the 80th anniversary of the Partition of India. Suman's history as a child of refugees and immigrants underlies her practice. Her parents were forcibly displaced by the 1947 Partition of India and came to the UK 18 years later. Through conversations with her mother, Trilochan Kaur, she came to understand the intergenerational impact of Partition. Her work now explores the ongoing cycle of war and forcible displacement and how we can stay connected to our heritage through art and poetry. She is continually in awe of human ability to survive and even thrive in the aftermath of trauma. During lockdown, she returned to writing poetry after many years, to reflect on the Pandemic, BLM, identity, belonging and recount family stories about Partition and immigration. She has given readings at the Whitworth, Tara Arts, Warwick Arts, The Horniman, and South Asia Gallery in Manchester. Community engagement is central to Suman's practice. She teaches workshops nationally, including at the Fitzwilliam, Warwick Arts, and UCL East, bringing people together to share their stories as they engage with creative work. Suman has an exhibition at UCL East in July, and is showing work at the Partition Museum in Amritsar in October.

Umran Ajaib – Operations Lead

Umran Ajaib joined the South Asian Heritage Trust in June 2022, leading events delivery. He combines his professional skills with a passion for promoting South Asian heritage. Umran is an accomplished professional with a strong technical background and a commitment to community engagement. He has qualifications as a Software Engineer and is an Informatics graduate. Post graduation, Umran was recruited as a Senior Analytics Lead by a Fortune 500 company, becoming the youngest and only South Asian person at the board level. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with major global brands and made significant contributions. Umran also devotes time to volunteer work, engaging with schools, prisons, charities, communities, immigrants, refugees, and the homeless. He has organised a delivery soup kitchen and participated in aid distribution efforts abroad. As of 2023, Umran became our Operations Lead.

Harvinder Poonian – Programme Director

With over five years of experience in the community sector, Harvinder's journey began with grassroots work during the pandemic and evolved into supporting organisations with marketing, community engagement, and development. Her work is rooted in creating inclusive, authentic spaces that reflect the richness and diversity of South Asian communities. At South Asian Heritage Month, she oversees communications and campaign strategy, managing the wonderful team of 30+ volunteers, and builds partnerships to ensure the month is impactful and reflective of lived experiences of the South Asian Diaspora.

Aleya Chowdhury – Business Development Lead

Aleya Chowdhury brings over 25 years of invaluable experience in the charity sector, with a strong track record in fundraising, business development, and strategic leadership. Having worked across the private, public, and third sectors, she offers a deep understanding of the challenges charities face and is skilled at navigating complex landscapes to help organisations meet their goals and create meaningful impact. Aleya’s expertise spans research, business analysis, project monitoring and evaluation, infrastructure development, and policy formulation. Her work is driven by a passion for social change and a commitment to community empowerment. She has also successfully developed a multi-award-winning health and wellbeing brand, blending her business acumen with her qualifications as a nutritional therapist and complementary practitioner. Drawing on science-based ancient practices, Aleya supports individuals in managing stress, anxiety, and pain reflecting her holistic approach to wellbeing. Her dynamic and compassionate leadership continues to contribute to the growth and resilience of the South Asian community and beyond.

Rachel Hamilton - Administration Manager

Rachel Hamilton joined South Asian Heritage Trust in 2024, bringing with her a wealth of experience as a Freelance Virtual Assistant. An accomplished author, Rachel has written and published several children's books, a passion ignited by the bedtime stories she created for her two young children. Currently, she is working on her first children's fantasy novel, further expanding her literary pursuits. Rachel is dedicated to her professional and personal development. She is currently pursuing a degree in Psychosocial Studies while also training in end-of-life care, reflecting her commitment to making a positive impact. Rachel enjoys traveling the world with her children, immersing them in diverse cultures, cuisines, and environments, fostering a love for exploration and learning from an early age.

Rahima Khatun-Malik - Education Lead

Rahima Khatun-Malik is a teacher (middle leader) and graduate of Combined STEM from Open University. She has worked in alternative post 16 provision before returning to teaching Secondary School. She is a middle leader in both secular and whole school capacity (Maths Assistant Faculty Leader and Head of Year 9). She frequently networks with professionals across the UK, supporting others, coaching, mentoring and being coached/mentored have all been vital in her career development. Rahima is now regional NEU Black Educator’s Officer and also the creator of SAHM toolkits with the aims of Decolonisation of the Curriculum. She has contributed to Chartered College of Teaching CPD and a regular peer reviewer of Impact Journal articles. She has also helped Life Lessons with their World Hijab Day coverage. Her cross curriculum knowledge is bolstered by also being an Alima, female Muslim minister, as she completed her Alimiyyah degree via Jamea Al Kauthar in Lancaster (equivalent to Masters in Islamic Theology & Jurisprudence) and is also a member of SACRE as a community link too.

Jagdeep Pabla - Strategic Education Lead

Jagdeep Pabla is a former Head of Science who began her career in the corporate sector. Her journey through two very different professional worlds sparked a deep commitment to equity, visibility and representation in education. She is the founder of The Science Tutor and the National Education Diversity Awards, the UK’s first national celebration dedicated to diversity in education. Jagdeep joined South Asian Heritage Month in 2025 as Strategic Education Lead. A passionate advocate for South Asian heritage and visibility, Jagdeep is committed to platforming South Asian Heritage that inspire pride, progress and belonging – from the classroom to the boardroom.

Mara Hafezi – Sports Co-Lead

Mara Hafezi is a PR professional in the finance industry and sits on her workplace ethnic minority network steering committee, which aims to help create a more diverse talent pipeline at the company. She is also a women’s health coach and personal trainer, working predominantly with South Asian women, using her experience in the corporate world to help them become active and step outside their comfort zones both in their fitness goals and careers. She also works with sports brands and organisations to increase diversity and has appeared on various media, including BBC. She uses her social media platforms to promote diversity in sports, raise awareness of obstacles women face and encourage women of colour to try new challenges. Mara is Sports Co-Lead for South Asian Heritage Month.

Apu Vyas – Sports Co-Lead

Apu Vyas is a podcaster and Chair of BAME Hammers. Two years ago when he mentioned to the Head Scout of a professional football club that his son had a desire to become a professional, he was shocked to hear the response ‘Asians aren’t big enough or strong enough.’ He has always had a deep interest in equality and justice as well as a passion for sport which he has combined since then to produce the Our Game Too podcast focusing on Asians in football and is chair of The BAME Hammers, an officially recognised fan group of his beloved West Ham United. Whether its participation or spectating, sport is for all, and he is doing everything that he can to get that message out there. Apu is the Sports Co-Lead for South Asian Heritage Month

Riyadul Karim - NHS and Health Equity Lead

Riyad is the Assistant Director for Community Engagement in Vaccine and Screening Equity at NHS England (London), where he leads region-wide efforts to advance vaccine equity through inclusive, community-driven approaches that engage underserved populations. He pioneered the nationally recognised 3Ts model—Trusted Leaders, Trusted Places, Trusted Voices—which has reshaped how the NHS connects with communities across London, including Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Somali, Black African and Caribbean, Eastern European, Brazilian, and Portuguese-speaking populations. His approach brings together trusted community and faith leaders with public health and NHS teams at place, system, and regional levels to improve vaccine and screening uptake, promote broader health and wellbeing, and build lasting trust through culturally grounded, community-centred engagement. Riyad serves as Co-Chair of both APNA NHS (South) and the London Bangladeshi Health Partnership, and brings over 20 years of experience across the NHS and life sciences sector. As a recognised Core20PLUS Ambassador, he co-led the establishment of the Enfield Black Community Health Forum, supported the rollout of the Black Health Improvement Programme, and was instrumental in securing Core20PLUS Accelerator Site status for Enfield in partnership with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and the Health Foundation. He holds degrees from De Montfort University and Durham University, with his MA dissertation focused on the history of Bengal. His passion for South Asian heritage continues through his community work, his avid reading of South Asian historical texts, and his @southasianhist account on X. "

Darius Nasimi - Afghanistan Lead

Darius Nasimi was four months old when his family fled Afghanistan to escape the Taliban in 1999. Darius was brought up in South East London and graduated in 2021 from Kings’ College, University of London with a BA in Philosophy. Whilst studying, he founded the Institute for Central Asian Studies (ICAS) to raise awareness about Central Asia and foster partnerships with governments, NGO's, think tanks, embassies and the private sector. There, he organised 3 conferences about the New Silk Road and the Afghan Peace Talks for an audience of over 1000 people. Since 2018, Darius has been Head of Funding and Partnerships at the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA), a charity founded by his father in 2000 to support refugee integration in the UK. Darius has raised £8 million in funding for ACAA in the last four years from British grant-making trusts, corporate donors and UK government – MOJ and DWP. In 2019, Darius founded a number of successful businesses, namely International Import and Exports Ltd. In 2021, Darius Nasimi was elected the first National Secretary of the Counter Terrorism Advisory Group, managed by Metropolitan Police and was previously a Trustee of the Heathrow Communities Trust. In May 2022, Darius Nasimi was the first British Afghan to stand as a Conservative Candidate in the 2022 UK local elections for Hanworth Village, winning over 1400 votes and doubling the number of voters for the Conservative Party. In 2023, Darius founded the UK-Central Asia Business Council and is currently co-founder of Suzani Capital aimed at increasing bilateral trade between UK and Central Asia. In January 2025, Darius launched the Afghanistan Government in Exile and the Campaign for the Democratic Government in Afghanistan to be the voice of the people of Afghanistan.

Sujatha Thaladi – Wales Region Coordinator

Sujatha Thaladi is the Co-founder of The Mentor Ring and Honorary Air Commodore for 614 Squadron. With a background in Chemistry, she began her career as a lecturer in India before moving into education and employment roles in the UK. She helped recruit international students and IT professionals to Welsh universities and is a dedicated mentor to individuals from vulnerable backgrounds. A solo glider pilot and former cricket and chess player, Sujatha now serves as the Regional Coordinator for South Asian Heritage Month in Wales. She leads efforts to showcase South Asian stories and culture through events and partnerships, especially under the "Roots and Routes" theme. Sujatha is also a Board Member for Centrepieces and Chairperson of Aurav Disha, promoting mental health and multicultural harmony. Her ongoing work uplifts communities and inspires future changemakers.

Ana Chandran – Northern Ireland Lead

Ana Chandran is a second-generation Indian born in Malaysia. She migrated to the UK in 2001 and has been settled in Northern Ireland since 2009. Ana holds an LLB Hons from the Open University and the University of Law. As the Founder and Director of Projects at the Belfast Asian Women's Academy (BAWA), she is dedicated to empowering and inspiring women from diverse backgrounds.Having faced challenges as an Asian woman, including systemic racism that curtailed her legal career, Ana transformed these experiences into a driving force for change. She passionately advocates for migrants suffering from racism and discrimination. Ana hopes to see a society that thrives fairly and equally for all.

Misha Upadhyaya – Youth Lead

Misha Upadhyaya is a dynamic and tenacious public sector professional with over a decade of experience driving strategic transformation and delivering high-impact programmes across policing, healthcare, and government. Currently a Chief of Staff at a national arms-length body of the government, Misha previously held senior leadership roles at various public sector organisations, where she led corporate strategy, stakeholder engagement, and digital transformation initiatives. Known for her political acuity, inclusive leadership, and ability to navigate complexity, Misha has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives in EDI, public safety, and community engagement. She is a trusted advisor, budget holder, and mentor, and continues to be a champion for innovation in public service.

Premal Bhatt – South West Region Coordinator

Premal Bhatt has worked in senior management roles in the third sector for over 20 years, including working for Diabetes UK and Marie Curie. He has managed complex volunteering and fundraising projects in London and across the South West. He is currently working for Oxfam, within the Retail volunteering team. He leads national projects to improve inclusive volunteer engagement, building national partnerships and developing programmes which include supporting People seeking sanctuary communities. He also works within the Racial Justice team. recently supporting and organising a global workshop on Racial Justice with international Oxfam colleagues to address systematic, cultural and institutional racism. He is passionate about music and storytelling. He produces and presents a radio show called the Phonic Mango show on Phonic FM and is involved with Soundart Radio, both based in Devon. The radio shows recognise and celebrates music from artists of South Asian Heritage. He is also connected locally in Exeter to community groups, working in partnership to regularly organise and deliver community events and as a storyteller often working with his two young daughters to re-tell / re-imagine Diwali stories at Exeter University.

Dr. Ranjit Khutan - Midlands Region Coordinator

Dr. Ranjit Khutan is a highly experienced education, research, and management consultant specialising in higher education, public health, and arts and culture. He has over 25 years of senior-level experience in higher education, leading public health teaching, research, and international partnerships. Dr. Khutan is also a Director of the UK Public Health Register, where he contributes to the strategic oversight of professional standards, registration processes, and workforce development in public health. Beyond academia and public health registration, Dr. Khutan is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and author, with works featured across stage, television, and film. He is also an audience development ambassador for the Grand Theatre Wolverhampton and serves as a trustee of the Jaivant Patel Company, an international arts organisation that champions issues within South Asian communities, particularly focusing on those relevant to the LGBT+ community. Dr. Khutan was born and brought up in the Black Country and is passionate about highlighting and celebrating the history of South Asian communities across the West Midlands region and beyond. He is committed to supporting the South Asian Heritage Trust in its mission to celebrate the richness and diversity of South Asian cultures, with the aim of fostering greater understanding and education among all communities.

Mya – Midlands Region Coordinator

Mya is a passionate social justice activist and proud Black Country woman, dedicated to creating meaningful change through youth empowerment, equitable governance, and decolonial practice. She brings a wealth of experience from working across grassroots and national spaces, with a focus on community-led funding, inclusive leadership, and structural change. Her creative and strategic prowess is rooted and enhanced by her identity as a third-generation British Asian, and her dedication to amplifying marginalised voices and challenging institutionalised inequality is deeply shaped by her lived experience. Mya champions intersectional, power-shifting approaches that make space for young people and underrepresented communities to lead. She recognises that the South Asian experience is not monolithic—marked by layered dynamics of class, caste, gender, colourism, and religion—and she is committed to embedding that complexity into inclusive practice. Through her work, she strives to create spaces that honour these intersecting identities and build equity into the fabric of decision-making and leadership.

Numan Azmi – Bangladesh Lead

Numan Azmi is a social entrepreneur. He is the Managing Director of a multi award winning social enterprise and Founder, Non-Exec Director and Chair of other social enterprises, supporting the minority communities in a range of different areas. He has served as a Board Member of several local, regional and national organisations and Govt Advisory Board. He is a Co-Curator of Manchester Museum’s South Asia Gallery, UK’s first permanent gallery for South Asia and a Member of GM Ethnic Communities Network Leadership Forum. He founded Manchester South Asia Centre to promote South Asian history, heritage and culture and has helped to set up South Asian Language Centre UK to focus on the diverse languages spoken within the diaspora.

Prashant Kunwar – Nepalese Lead

Prashant Kunwar is an active British Nepalese working to promote UK-Nepal relationship. He is well known personality within South Asian diaspora. He has worked on numerous project including celebration of 200 years of friendship between the UK and Nepal in 2016. He has also championed to raise community issues and supported many charities. Born in Nepal, brought up in India, studied and currently living in the UK, Prashant is a business consultant and advisor with great fortitude, capable of solving complex problems, forming strategic alliances, skilled in providing team leadership and overseeing major initiatives to enhance business opportunities. Prashant is a big fan of cricket and firmly believes that sports bring us together. Sports are an ideal way to build and strengthen relationships among businesses, communities and countries.

Manpreet Dhesi -Advisory Group member

Manpreet is a communications specialist. She has worked as Head of International Communications at Department of Health and Social Care, Director of Communications at The Bartlett, University College London, and runs her own consultancy working with art and design, built environment, charity and government clients. As part of her roles she has always overseen strategy development and delivery of operational projects such as institute and scholarship launches and brings a unique communications viewpoint to these projects. She was the Operational Lead of South Asian Heritage Month 2021, and brought a wealth of experience with her to that role. She continues to provide strategic advice to South Asian Heritage Month.

Tiya Dahyabhai – Advisory Group Member

Tiya Dahyabhai is a curator, material researcher and community workshop facilitator within the museum’s sector. With a drive to connect with multigenerational audiences through storied collections, her research is concerned with the role of material and visual cultures of the British South Asian home, from British Asian youth movements to the diaspora’s wider representation in popular culture. Running alongside her curatorial design practice, she leads interdisciplinary textile workshops in galleries, community centres and studios across London, demonstrating the accessibility of traditional and contemporary textile processes. She was the Museum Lead for South Asian Heritage Month 2021.

Dee Ishani – Advisory Group Member

Dee’s career is currently in a transition phase. Twenty years ago, Dee took her first show to the Edinburgh Fringe and began a career in the arts, culture and charities. She has worked in various capacities, and specialised in digital projects and marketing for the last decade or so, working with clients including the National Theatre, Melbourne Theatre Company, Alzheimer’s Society and Royal Albert Hall. In 2019, Dee trained as a yoga teacher and this inspired her to change track. In Sept 2020, Dee returned to university and she is currently training as a physiotherapist. Alongside her work for SAHM, she is working on a project seeking to understand the experiences of BAME physiotherapy students on placement in England.