making communities visible in
policy-making
At the Social Equity Centre, we are committed to amplifying the voices of diverse communities in policymaking and fostering inclusivity across all sectors.
We are excited to announce the launch of our Equity Advisory Board, a vital step in our mission to challenge existing perspectives, reduce bias and broaden our understanding of diversity. Comprising professionals from a wide of backgrounds and cultural perspective, this board will provide critical insights and guidance as we work to drive meaningful change through fair and equitable practices.
The board will meet quarterly, playing a crucial role in shaping our initiatives, including our three-year grant project funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Their collective experience will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals and make a positive impact on the communities we serve.
Join us on our journey toward greater inclusivity and social equity. Below you can learn more about our board members.
Assen is a Roma, originally from Bulgaria who moved to the UK in 2010 to live and work. With 30 years of practical experience in Roma Community Engagement and Inclusion, they have a strong background in this field. From 2000 to 2010, Assen served as the Executive Director of the Roma-Lom Foundation, one of the most successful NGOs in Europe established and developed by Roma. The Foundation has been recognised as a model for Roma community development.
Since 2015, he has worked as a Senior Support and Empowerment Officer at Luton Roma Trust and since 2019 as a Roma Immigration Adviser at Settled. Assen holds a Master's degree in Economics of Commerce and has completed numerous specialised trainings focused on civil society and excluded groups, particularly Roma.
He has a proven track record in NGO management, project design, planning, monitoring and evaluation, fundraising, facilitation, mentoring, training and mediation within Roma communities.
With extensive knowledge and experience in Roma Community Development, Assen is eager to share their expertise with other organisations committed to Roma Community Engagement.
Chris is the CEO of Young Brent Foundation, which generates an evidence based, needs led community partnership model that unites a diverse voluntary play and youth sector, creating strong united voices, equipping members with the training, resources and financial support to increase overall capacity and develop a more sustainable future to benefit children and young people.
He is Alumni of the Nationally recognised 'Black, Asian Leadership Initiative' (BALI), on the Board of KPMG Foundation, and the Chair of CVS Brent. With over 35 years senior leadership experience spanning 7 Local Authorities, Chris advises on the utilisation and design function of the Cultural Competency Continuum, Organisational Culture and Diverse Leadership for Impetus, Met Police, LB's Hackney, RBKC, Brent to improve outcomes and impact.
Chris currently acts as a convenor for Global Majority communities to improve understanding of systemic inequalities and provide consultancy on EDI assessment tools to aid the reform and improve the systemic challenges within national bodies of sport, looking to deconstruct, understand and improve governance and visibility.
Sarah is the Managing Director of Pinch Point Communications, Vice Chair of Manx Care and Chair of Taylor Bennett Foundation.
Starting as a BBC journalist, she has worked in corporate communications since 2000, in house for Christian Aid, Children's Hospice South West, First Group plc and the NHS. She founded PPC in 2013 and the fully integrated agency works across all sectors, specialising in all areas of change management, staff engagement, strategic communication and issues and crisis management.
She had broad Chair and NED experience, on the board of Health and Safety Executive, as REMCOM chair for the Senedd, trustee of Bristol Students' Union and as President of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
She is highly sought out board advisor, mentor, and speaker, especially around issues of ethics, diversity and female leadership.
Sarah lives in Bristol and started running in 2016; she's currently training for the 2025 London Marathon.
Son is an organiser at POMOC, a grassroots political home for Eastern European migrants in the UK to organise towards power, dignity and justice. Son coordinates the WeVote campaign, which works to mobilise Eastern European migrants to vote in local and national elections.
Prior to POMOC, he has organised with migrant communities on issues relating to housing and the hostile environment. He also worked as a caseworker and provided holistic support to people on the sharpest end of the hostile environment.
