Robert Berry BA MA NPQH PQSI
Portfolio: education, community development, system thinking.
Bob graduated from the University of Bradford in French with Russian in 1983 and earned a Masters in French from Leeds University. He began his career as a teacher of Modern Foreign Languages before moving into senior leadership roles in secondary schools for over a decade. His expertise also extends to his time with Ofsted, where he gained valuable insights into educational standards. Bob was appointed Head of School Improvement in Tameside, and later became the Assistant Executive Director of Education for the borough. He has a deep interest in CERI communities, the intersection of faith and education, and anti-racist practices within schools. Additionally, Bob is interested in the connections between education, social care, and health, striving for a holistic approach to supporting communities. As an experienced coach at the executive leader level, Bob brings valuable leadership skills and a wealth of knowledge to drive systemic change.
Sheikh Imam Shoaib Vaka Msc
Portfolio: prison, probation, secure estates.
Shoaib graduated as an Imam from the prestigious Darul Uloom Al-Arabiyya-Al-Islamiya in 1995 and has over 20 years of experience as a prison chaplain, most recently at HMP YOI Thorncross. He leads the New Horizons programme, dedicated to rehabilitating ex-offenders across the North West’s approved premises, which provide intensive supervision for high-risk individuals. His work includes offering vital services such as counselling, buddying, and welfare advocacy, helping to reintegrate offenders into society. Shoaib’s impactful contributions to rehabilitation earned him a nomination for an award from The Howard League for Penal Reform. He holds a Level 2 Diploma in Counselling and an MSc in Safeguarding, demonstrating his commitment to professional growth and excellence. As a senior advisor to The Muslim Chaplaincy Association (MCA), he plays a key role in supporting Muslim chaplains working in UK prisons. Recently, Shoaib was appointed to The Greater Manchester Victims and Justice VCFSE Strategic Leadership Group, further cementing his influence in the field of criminal justice and rehabilitation.
Nimrita Bahia – Senior Lecturer of Childhood, Youth & Education Studies (CYES), Coventry University
Portfolio: counselling, therapy, mental health.
Nimrita is an academic at Coventry University, where she lectures on Counselling, Coaching & Mentoring, and Social Work at the undergraduate level. As a practising Integrative Therapist in Psychotherapy and Hypnotherapy, she brings a wealth of practical experience to her teaching. With over 13 years of experience working with children, young people, and their families in the West Midlands, Nim has made a significant impact in her field. She previously served as a service manager in Coventry, where she developed and delivered services focused on substance misuse treatment, health, and early intervention. Nimrita’s research interests primarily focus on CERI communities and family mediation for substance misuse, aiming to improve support and outcomes in these areas. Her work combines academic insight with real-world experience, providing a holistic approach to mental health and social care. Through her leadership and research, she continues to contribute to the development of effective, culturally sensitive services for vulnerable populations.
Sabera Ahsan – Director of The Asian Mums Network
Portfolio: female empowerment, online safety, Parenting.
Sabera holds an MSc in Safeguarding Studies from the University of East London and has extensive experience in diversity training and assessment, having spent six years with Sussex Police. She has held senior roles in Equality and Diversity at the National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA) and managed a diverse portfolio at the Home Office’s Crime Directorate, including youth offending, FGM, women offending, police crime panels, and mental health and policing. Sabera is dedicated to internet safety, developing tools to help parents navigate the challenges of grooming, exploitation, bullying, and safeguarding. As the founder and chairwoman of the National Asian Mums Network, she works tirelessly to support and empower communities. Her work focuses on creating safer environments for vulnerable populations, both online and offline. Sabera’s leadership in these areas has positioned her as a key advocate for social justice and community well-being. With her wealth of experience, she continues to drive positive change in safeguarding and equality.
Gillian Kirkman – Assistant Professor of Social work, The University of Bradford
Portfolio: Head of Flowhesion centre for Bamer Research, Strategy, partnerships.
Gill is a qualified social worker with over 15 years of experience in Child Protection and Looked After Children (LAC) services. She has spent more than 13 years as a senior lecturer at the University of Huddersfield, where she developed and lectured on the MSc in advanced safeguarding and served as the programme leader for the University’s social work programmes. In 2013, she earned an MA in Higher Education and Development, further strengthening her academic expertise. Gill also served as the UK Country Director for the None in Three global research centre, based at Huddersfield University, focusing on eliminating gender-based violence and sexual abuse of women. Her ongoing PhD research continues to explore similar issues, reflecting her deep commitment to social justice. Gill currently lectures and supervises social work students at the University of Bradford, shaping the next generation of social workers. Her extensive experience in both practice and academia makes her a leading figure in safeguarding and gender-based violence research.
Raymond Douglas – Founder of Gangology and Minusviolence
Portfolio: Sport, young people, substance misuse.
Raymond Douglas brings over 25 years of experience in tackling gangs and youth violence, with a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding this issue. In his early twenties, he qualified as an adult education teacher to better understand learning theories and behavioural change, recognising the growing rise of gangs and youth violence across the UK. Concerned that traditional youth work was no longer effective in addressing this social crisis, Raymond founded Anti Youth Violence, an initiative aimed at upskilling the public and third sector to reduce life-threatening behaviour related to gang, gun, and knife crime. His work highlighted the need for specialised professional development for practitioners, leading to the creation of the “Gangology” training programme. This programme focuses on equipping professionals with the tools needed to engage young people at risk of violence, addressing the root causes of their behaviour. Raymond’s work continues to have a significant impact on reducing youth violence and supporting the development of skilled practitioners across the sector. Through his dedication, he is helping to reshape how society addresses the challenge of youth violence.
Amena Patel
Portfolio: Health Inequalities, welfare, Cost of Living (CoL).
Amena is an expert in organisational change, specialising in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion, with over 20 years of experience in the third sector. She works with organisations to foster equitable and inclusive work environments, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued. Amena is deeply passionate about addressing health inequalities and currently holds a senior position at CAB, where she engages with minority-ethnic communities to provide advice, welfare, and support. Her extensive experience has given her a thorough understanding of the health and financial disparities that affect these communities. Amena’s commitment to tackling health inequalities led her to join the NHS NeXT Director Scheme, which supports the development of minority ethnic individuals to serve on Trust boards. Through her work and advocacy, Amena strives to create systemic change, ensuring more diverse and equitable representation in key healthcare decision-making roles. She continues to drive progress in addressing the root causes of health inequalities.
Dr Laurens De Rooij – BA MA Phd– Senior Lecturer – Department of Theology and Religious studies – The University of Chester
Portfolio: Interfaith, Community Cohesion, dialogue.
Laurens holds a BA in Theology and Religious Studies (2010), an MA in Theology and Religious Studies specialising in Islam (Cum Laude, 2012), and a PhD from Durham University, completed in July 2016. He has gained international experience at prestigious institutions, including the Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University in Jakarta, Indonesia, Duke University in North Carolina, USA, the University of Colorado in Boulder, USA, and Brazil’s Fundação Joaquim Nabuco. In 2017, Laurens served as a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Cape Town, where he analysed media discourse on minorities. His extensive academic experience has broadened his understanding of religion, media, and culture, with a particular focus on Islam and minority communities. Laurens has contributed to global academic discourse on religion, media, and minority rights. He has been a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy since 2016, reflecting his ongoing commitment to academic excellence. His research continues to influence the understanding of how media shapes societal perceptions of marginalised groups.
Debbie Koroma – Founder and director of Creative Branches Consultancy – Lecturer Manchester Metropolitan University
Portfolio: digital poverty, social mobility, dignity in ageing.
Debbie brings over 30 years of experience working with disadvantaged families and young people across the VCSF and public sectors. She spent 22 years as a children’s services manager at Barnardos, where she developed a deep expertise in supporting vulnerable children and families. Her particular focus lies in attachment, trauma, and resilience-based practices, areas in which she has honed specialised knowledge. In addition to her practical experience, Debbie is an academic, lecturing in youth and community work at Manchester Metropolitan University. She holds professional qualifications in Youth and Community Work, Coaching and Mentoring, and Leadership (NPQICL – National Professional Qualification in Integrated Centre Leadership). Debbie’s wealth of experience and academic background allows her to bridge theory and practice effectively, supporting the development of future leaders in youth and community services. Her work continues to make a lasting impact on both individuals and organisations in the sector.