Who We Are
Our Staff
Bhanu Nagda is CIO's Office and Finance Manager and is responsible for the day to day running of CIO's office and managing our accounting practices. She joined CIO in 1984 and has been invaluable in its organisational development.
Jennifer Georgeson is CIO's Senior Projects Manager and is responsible for the overall management of all of CIO's projects. She joined CIO in May 2007 and has a PhD in Public Health from University College London. Further to her role at CIO she is director of a small International charity and is a consultant Marketing Analyst at a publicly listed company.
Buddhdev Pandya is Project Manager for Capacity Building in the London Region and is CIO's Policy and Communication Manager. He joined CIO in 2001 and has many years of experience in Community Development and promoting Racial Equality. He was award an MBE in 1994 for his contribution to community and race relations in the Queen's Honours list.
Rajen Gohil is CIO's Internet Communications and Technology (ICT) Office and is responsible for CIO's technology management including external capacity building and ICT training, internal training and management of our website. He joined CIO in December 2006 and has a strong technological background as an ECDL Trainer as well as other ICT training skills.
Hemintika Patel is CIO's Health Project Manager and is responsible for promoting a healthy lifestyle for the South Asian community. She joined CIO in Dec 2006 and has a strong background in adult and child health and nutrition having worked in the NHS for many years.
Narinder Gharial is CIO's Mental Health Project Manager and is responsible for managing the Vishvas Mental Health Project. She joined CIO in Feb 2005 and has an MA in Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling, accredited by UKCP, having previously served as a counsellor for a number of well known organisations including Mind and London Lighthouse.
Nina Vora is a counsellor at CIO and is responsible for managing a large list of clients. She joined CIO in July 2005 and has a post-graduate diploma in counselling and member of BACP. Her background is both in administration and counselling.
Elsa Paul is CIO's Resource Officer and is responsible for setting up and managing our Mental Health Resource Centre. She joined CIO in July 05 and holds a Master's degree in Commerce from the University of Mumbai and a Master's in Peace Studies from Lancaster University .
Vinod Kotecha is CIO's East Midlands Regional Manager and is responsible for environmental awareness and capacity building of South Asian Organisations within the East Midland 's region. He joined CIO in April 2004, as well as being a trained pharmacist, has been the Assistant Director for Age Concern.
Humza Umair is CIO's Northern Regional Manager and is responsible for managing CIO's Capacity Building Project in the Greater Manchester area. He joined CIO in September 2005 and has a strong background in developing quality assurance procedures within the voluntary sector.
Our Board
Tara Mukherjee is the President and Founder of CIO. He is also the Chairman of European Multicultural Foundation which works for the development of European policies which have a positive impact on social justice, equality and community cohesion.
Bhupendra Dave is the Deputy President of CIO. He is the Director of Social Care Services in a Leicestershire Authority. He is a prominent figure in the Leicestershire County and associated with many community initiatives in the area.
Jagdish Patel is the Secretary General of CIO. He is Treasurer of European Multicultural Foundation, trustee of LVCS and Brent Age Concern and former trustee of Brent MANCAP. Further to this he is the founder and former President of Brent Women's Resource Centre and Chief Officer of Brent Indian Association.
Dipak Joshi is the Treasurer of CIO and a leading contributor of diversity in East Midland region, a BBC Roots award wining photo journalist and a Champion to work creatively with cross section of communities and working with art and media business for the past 25 years.
Harendra Vyas is founder member and Deputy Secretary General of CIO. He is the Public Relations Officer of Gujarat Hindu Association, President of Indian Cultural Society and Leicestershire Brahm Samaj.
Kanta Sharma is a member of CIO Executive Committee. She is a former President and current member of management committee of Wandsworth Hindu Society based in Tooting. She is a retired Civil Servant. She was a teacher in Uganda and was actively engaged in public life within Asian communities. She was awarded MBE in 1990.
Pravin Amin is a member of the Executive Committee of CIO, member of Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, a Trustee and Past President of NCGO, Past President of National Association of Patidar Samaj. He is also an active member of many community based Organisations.
Pravin Lukka is a founder member of CIO and associated with CIO from its inception. He has previously contributed as a Deputy President and Secretary General. Professionally working as a Senior Manager in Social Care Services in a Local Authority and in managing Residential Care Services for older people.
Sumantrai Desai is a member of the Executive Committee of CIO and an active social worker. He represents Federation of Brahmin Association of Europe and National Congress of Gujarati Organisations. He is actively involved in many community organisations and charities.
Zaka Sheikh is a member of the Executive Committee of CIO. He is the Chairman of First Asian Support Trust (FAST), Chairman of Community Support Plus Ltd and Director of North west network based in Manchester.