Charan Kanwal Singh Sekhon MBE(BSc. MSc. MSc. PgDip. IEMA)

Founder, Chairman & Managing Trustee

Charan is a renowned philanthropist with over 30 years’ experience in educational support, pollution and environment, project management, public relations, health wellbeing and yoga, community and charity fundraising. During his distinguished 26-year career with the UK Government’s DEFRA, he held various roles, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Project Coordinator and Senior Environment Officer for the Environment Agency. In these capacities, he led numerous environmental and EDI projects across the East of England. A local Councillor for over 24 years, actively involved in youth, charity and sports projects, he led many fund-raising campaigns and participated in many charity races including completing London Marathon Race (42.2 km) in 2012 to raise funds for people with disabilities. He served in several advisory and voluntary roles, including a Community Engagement Ambassador for Diverse Recruitment & Partnerships, Wellness and Yoga teacher, and Branch Chairman, Welfare, H&S Officer & Equalities Coordinator for UNISON. Working closely with Cranfield University and various other universities and students’ unions, he led a wide range of projects to support both local and international students.

Since 1995 onwards, Charan has served in various management committees including a Sikh Temple (Gurdwara), Race Equality Council and a School Governor for two schools in Bedfordshire. Working with diverse communities and multi-faith groups, Charan played a key role in raising significant funds for many local and national charity projects. He has been honoured with a number of national and regional awards including the ‘British Asian Pride of Britain’ Award 2013 at the House of Commons which he jointly received with the world’s oldest marathon runner Late Fauja Singh Ji. Additionally, Charan received the ‘Volunteer Fundraiser Award 2013’ from the Papworth Trust, Cambridge, the Bedford Mayor’s ‘Citizen of the Year 2002’ Award for his outstanding community and charity services, and a ‘Special Recognition Award’ from the UK Sikh Missionary Society for his contributions to the advancement of the Sikh faith and culture. His other honours include the ‘Promoting Community Cohesion’ Award by the Bedfordshire Asian Business Association (BABA), the ‘East Anglia Lockdown Hero Award’ by the Environment Agency for supporting others during the challenging times of COVID-19, and the ‘Everyday Heroes 2021’ award by the Harpur Trust and Bedford Independent Newspaper for his exceptional contributions and community support.

Charan played a lead role in setting up SEVA Trust UK operations in both the UK and in India. He coordinated a wide range of projects in Punjab and Haryana, supporting thousands of students, rural women and girls and vulnerable individuals and families from disadvantaged backgrounds. It was his idea to set up free solar power plants for rural primary schools to meet local electricity demands and start educational support grants and free online learning support for the most disadvantaged students.

The work Charan initiated in 2016 has now become a significant movement, with hundreds of committed volunteers working alongside SEVA Trust teams in the UK and India. With great support and an excellent team effort by SEVA Trust India, he played an instrumental role in raising significant funds for north India’s first multi-facility home SEVA Dhaam. This centre provides free treatment for children impacted by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). It also futures an e-learning hub and a skills development centre for disadvantaged women and girls, with a plan to add more facilities, such as a Diagnostic Centre and Senior Citizens Day Care Centre. His dedicated contributions and supportive efforts have been recognised by various organisations in India. Notably, Haryana-based NGO ‘Zila Yuva Vikas Sanghthan’ honoured Charan for his innovative initiative of providing free tablets to disadvantaged students during COVID-19 lockdowns. Additionally, the Purewal Sports Club in Punjab, which hosts one of the largest sports tournaments in the region, presented him with a ‘Special Recognition Award’ twice, in 2023 and 2024, for supporting young players. Furthermore, Charan was honoured with ‘Punjab Rattan Award 2024 ’by Divya Manch, Malerkotla, Punjab, for his overall contributions through his work with the SEVA Trust.

In 2024, Charan became the first Sikh Alumnus in the University’s 78-years history to receive the ‘Distinguished Water, Energy and Environment Alumni Award’ from Cranfield University, UK. This is the highest honour awarded by the university, recognising individuals who have achieved significant success within the water, energy, and environment sectors and have made a positive impact at an international level.

In 2026, Charan was honoured with the ‘Special Recognition Award’ for his 30 Years of continuous community services in the UK and India. This award was presented by the Friends of India Society International, UK (FISI-UK) at their Golden Jubilee event in London.

Charan was named in Her Late Majesty the Queen’s 2022 New Year National Honours list to receive a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). He made history as the UK’s first British Sikh officer of Indian origin from the Environment Agency (DEFRA) to receive this honour. The award was presented by His Majesty King Charles III at Windsor Castle. The accolade recognises his outstanding services and contributions in four key areas: Charity, Diversity, the Environment, and COVID-19 Support Work.

Growing up in a rural village of Punjab with limited access to educational advice and support for the rural communities, Charan faced many challenges during his education. He completed his MSc in Applied Physics from Punjabi University in India, followed by an MSc Energy & Environment from Cranfield University in the UK. Inspired by Guru Nanak’s teachings of Seva (selfless service), Charan chose to turn his personal challenges into a lifeline for others. He wanted to use his experiences to serve others whilst participating in civic duties and making positive contributions to the nation, in line with the concept gifted by Guru Nanak that inspired him to form SEVA Trust. Since 2016 SEVA Trust has been working in the UK and India. Charan passionately believes in equality, social justice, oneness, equal education opportunities for all, and environmental sustainability. Through SEVA Trust’s initiatives and working in partnerships with others, he wants everyone to work in unity to serve their Homelands - both their birthplace (Janam-Bhoomi) and nation where they work (Karam-Bhoomi).

Dr. Baljit Kaur Upadhyay(MD Physician, MSc. MRCPsych)

Vice-Chair & Trustee

Baljit is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Deputy Clinical Director for Mental Health Services, with nearly 20 years of experience working within the NHS in the UK. She has a broad range of clinical experience across several medical specialties, including emergency medicine, paediatrics, and general medicine, and has also contributed to Polio and other WHO-led public health initiatives. Baljit is deeply committed to improving health and wellbeing within communities and brings a compassionate, philanthropic approach to her work. Having lived and worked in different countries, she has developed a strong appreciation of diverse cultures and a clear understanding of the importance of education, health, and social wellbeing in creating stronger communities.

Through SEVA Trust UK, she is passionate about using her professional expertise and life experiences to make a meaningful and lasting difference to wider communities.

X (Twitter): @SEVATrustUK

Shital Gandhi

Trustee & Community Engagement Team Member

Shital has been helping many UK charities and community groups through social support, education and yoga projects. Born in Aden, educated in India and the UK, she has a vast experience in many areas including teaching, business, finance, working with B.A.M.E. communities and women groups. She is well connected with diverse communities and faith groups of Bedfordshire, Leicestershire as well in India. During her studies in India, she successfully overcame many challenges. She is a real advocate of supporting disadvantaged students and girls especially from those parts of India where girls face huge challenges to fulfil their dreams.

X (Twitter): @SEVATrustUK

Kunwarjeet Kaur Pannu(BSc. MSc.)

Trustee & Youth Group Co-ordinator

Kunwarjeet’s strong belief that right care and education at early years is vital for children, enabled her to join the foundation education in Bedfordshire as an Early Years Educator. Since she moved to the UK in 2009, she has been playing an active role in community and youth projects including teaching Punjabi language at Sunday school run by volunteers at Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara in Kempston. As a research associate for over 10 years at Punjab Agriculture University in India, she was involved in various projects such as women entrepreneurship and empowerment, environment and tree plantation in rural areas. She is very passionate about quality education for children and being part of SEVA team, she is determined to uplift the youngsters and support the needy communities.

X (Twitter): @SEVATrustUK

Satnam Singh Galsin

Trustee & Treasurer

Satnam is an eminent community volunteer with over 25 years’ experience of volunteer management, fundraising and working in varying roles including a charity Treasurer and Secretary. He works for a leading Logistics Company, as an Oracle Consultant. He has led and coordinated many youth projects. Born and brought up in the UK, he adopted Seva (community service) through his strong belief in Sikhi principles of Kirat Karo (make an honest living), Naam Japo (pray to the one Lord) and Vand Chakho (share what you have with others, especially the poor and underprivileged).

X (Twitter): @SEVATrustUK