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

Founder, Chairman & Managing Trustee

Charan is a renowned philanthropist with over 25 years’ experience in education, environment, project management, public relations, health wellbeing & yoga, community and charity fundraising. He is a Senior Environment Officer for the Environment Agency (DEFRA) UK and lead a number of Environmental projects and Equality and Diversity related projects in East Anglia. A local Councillor for over 20 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 to raise funds for people with disabilities. He holds a number of advisory and voluntary roles including a Community Engagement Ambassador (Diverse Recruitment & Partnerships), Wellness and Yoga teacher, Welfare, H&S Officer & Equalities Coordinator for UNISON and working closely with Cranfield University and a number of other universities and students’ unions, he lead a wide range of projects to support local and international students.

Charan served in various management committees including a Sikh Temple, Race Equality Council and serving as a School Governor in 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 at the House of Commons, ‘Volunteer Fundraiser Award’ by the Papworth Trust, Cambridge, Bedford Mayor’s ‘Citizen of the Year’ Award for his outstanding community and charity services, a ‘Special Recognition Award’ by the UK Sikh Missionary Society for his contributions for advancement of Sikh Faith and Culture, ‘Promoting Community Cohesion’ Award by Bedfordshire Asian Business Association (BABA) and ‘East Anglia Lockdown Hero Award’ by the Environment Agency for supporting others during COVID19 challenging times.

Charan was named in Her Late Majesty the Queen’s New Year’s National Honours list for 2022 to receive an MBE. Charan becomes UK’s first British Sikh officer of Indian origin serving for the Environment Agency (DEFRA) to receive this honour for his services and contributions in four key areas; Charity, Diversity, the Environment and the COVID-19 support work.

Born and brought 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, India and MSc Energy & Environment from Cranfield University, UK. He wants to use his experiences to help and serve others in line with the concept of Seva (selfless service) gifted by Guru Nanak which inspired him to form SEVA Trust which is working in the UK and India. He passionately believes in equality and social justice, education opportunities for all and environmental sustainability and he wants everyone to work in unity to serve their Homeland (Janam-Bhoomi & Karam-Bhoomi) through SEVA.

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

Vice-Chair & Trustee

Baljit as an Associate Clinical Director in Bedford Community Mental Health Services. Previously she worked as Psychiatrist in the UK for over 12 years with the NHS Trust. She has 6 years’ experience of working in emergency medicine, paediatrics and medicine in India where she was proactively involved in Polio and other WHO projects. She has philanthropic approach to life and has intrigue about science and an intrinsic desire to have a positive impact on health standards in the community. She completed her medicine from Russian State Medical University. Having lived and worked in different countries she has an excellent understanding of diverse cultures, the need to improve and sustain the quality of education, health & wellbeing. She is determined to use her experiences to help the wider communities through SEVA Trust UK.

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.

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.

Satnam Singh Galsin

Trustee & Treasurer

Satnam is an eminent community volunteer with over 15 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).