The British Asian Trust has a motivated and energetic team with vast experience in the charity, business and development sectors both in the UK and South Asia.
Hitan Mehta
Executive Director 
Along with his led role in establishing The British Asian Trust, Hitan Mehta served as Head of Operations for The Prince’s Charities Events organising commercial activities to raise funds with a programme of music, sports, films and exhibitions. He has first-hand volunteer experience with the Indian NGO, BAPS and has organised the international launch of the film “Mystic India” and other large-scale fundraising events. Hitan holds a law degreee from London, Guildhall.
Abha Thorat-Shah
Director
Abha Thorat-Shah is responsible for guiding the Trust’s development in both South Asia and the UK. She has extensive business development experience with a portfolio including Chief Operating Officer for UK India Business Council, Programme Manager for Asia House and Project Manager for a DFID-funded micro-finance project in Central India. She previously worked for Willis Re, one of the world’s biggest reinsurance brokers. Abha travels regularly to South Asia and works with local partners to identify and assess organisations for the Trust. She is a graduate of Cambridge University and St Xavier’s College, Mumbai and sits on the Boards of two arts charities in the UK - Tara Arts and the Jaipur Heritage Trust.
Clare Harland
Senior Manager
Clare is responsible for the Trust’s partnerships with charities across South Asia and the UK. She joined us from New Philanthropy Capital (NPC), a consultancy and think tank helping charities and funders achieve a greater impact. Her work at NPC included writing reports for funders, charities and government; analysing charities to help them improve their effectiveness; advising funders such as corporate and family foundations, and communicating NPC’s research. She has authored or co-authored 11 reports on social welfare and charity sector issues. Clare has written for The Times and The Guardian and been interviewed on radio and TV. She specialises in mental health and is doing a part-time course in counselling and psychotherapy. Clare holds BA and MSc degrees from the University of Oxford.
Nayomi Dharmatileke
Manager
As a Manager on the Trust’s Investment Team, Nayomi Dharmatileke works to identify, monitor and evaluate partner organisations and delivery charities. Nayomi leads the Trust’s focus on Sri Lanka. She worked and volunteered in Sri Lanka for five years where she focused on advocacy and policy in development and humanitarian responses, with vast involvement in the development, post-tsunami and conflict contexts. Nayomi has played lead roles in accountability and transparency; and promoting good practice and community participatory approaches. She holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in international development from Leeds and Reading Universities.
Madhu Rajesh
Development Director
Madhu is responsible for fundraising and business development at The British Asian Trust and brings on board extensive commercial experience in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors.She began her career with Marriott International in Dubai and also worked for Hilton and Emirates Airlines there. Madhu spearheaded business development for a Dubai-based destination management company across the UK and pan-European markets. At Le Meridien in Lithuania, she focused on business development in the UK. It was during her MBA studies at INSEAD that Madhu developed a keenness for corporate social responsibility and opted for a career in the not-for-profit sector. She has been involved with Cartier’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives for over three years. Madhu joins The Trust from Vital Regeneration, a social regeneration charity in London.
Sukhmani Sohal
Events Manager
Sukhmani Sohal is responsible for planning, organising and managing events to raise funds, support and awareness for The British Asian Trust. She brings to the team extensive experience in public relations, marketing and account management. Sukhmani has worked for Media Moguls, a leading ethnic PR and marketing firm, and Weber Shandwick Global PR Agency. She has devised and delivered public and corporate events ranging from touring street theatre to red carpet premiers and VIP parties, including simultaneous events across the UK. Specialising in ethnic audiences, Sukhmani has worked with a range of business and charity clients as well as celebrities, sports heroes and journalists.
Anna Hussain
Project Coordinator
Anna is responsible for the management of the Trust’s Education Project in the UK. After gaining a BA in Drama and Education at Queen Mary College, University of London, she taught performance arts to vulnerable young adults in a series of arts organisations across London including The Old Vic, The Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, The Arcola and Savvy Theatre Company. She also spent a year directing and teaching English to young adults at a local theatre company in Hong Kong. Her academic and professional background in education and the arts lends itself to the creation and production of the Trust’s educational materials.
Anuradha Mukherjee
India Consultant
A consultant on the Trust’s investment team, Anuradha conducts monitoring and evaluation for our portfolio of high-impact charities. Based in India, she has more than 15 years experience in organisational review and capacity building for community organisations; monitoring and evaluation; and development of information, education and communication systems. Anuradha has worked as monitoring and evaluation consultant for Action Aid, Global Fund for Children, FOKUS Norway, Grouppe Development, TDH Switzerland, and Edelgive Foundation. Her clients have also included the European Commission, Dutch Ministry for Development and Department for International Development.
