Our People

Honorary Members and Observers

Rt Hon Robert Aldridge

Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh

Patron

Honorary Patron of ELREC. Passionate about encouraging good citizenship and encouraging businesses to do their bit for the city in addressing social exclusion and inequality.

Professor Sir Geoff Palmer DSc OBE

Honorary President

Prof Sir Geoff Palmer is ELREC Honorary President.

He became the first black professor in Scotland in 1989 and then a Professor Emeritus after his retirement in 2005.

In 2014 he was knighted with New Year Honours.

Jamaican Honorary Consul. Chancellor of the Heriot- Watt University. Jamaican Commander of Distinction. Chair of Edinburgh Council’s Slavery Colonialism Group. Chair of University’s Colonialism and Race Group.

Board of Directors

Mr Foysol Choudhury

MBE MSP – Chair
 
 

Member of the Scottish Parliament, businessman and community activist, involved in various organisations. 

Mrs Azra Sharif-Qayyum

Mrs Azra Sharif-Qayyum

Co-Chair; Convenor – Volunteer Subcommittee

Involved in the Board of other organisations. Skills in funding, mediation, governance and others.

Mr Ehtisham Khan

Vice Chair

Ex councillor of Edinburgh Council and long standing community activist.

Mr Rajnish Singh
 

Company Secretary

IT Project Manager by profession. Involved with other organisations such as Scottish Indian Arts Forum, Mela, Edinburgh Hindu Mandir and Edinburgh Diwali.

Cllr Carl John
 

Treasurer

Councillor for the West Lothian Council. Involved as a Board member of different charitable organisations, both in Scotland and Africa.

Mr Foysol Choudhury

MBE MSP – Chair

Foysol Choudhury MBE MSP has been part of ELREC since his teens when he volunteered with us. He has always had an interest in community and charity work and has been an advocate of equality for over 30 years. He has served ELREC in many capacities but currently he holds the position of Chair.

Mr Ehtisham Khan
 

Vice Chair

Ex councillor of Edinburgh Council and long standing community activist.

Mr Rajnish Singh
 

Company Secretary

An IT Consultant actively involved in community engagement in Edinburgh & Scotland since 2002. Also, currently President of Edinburgh Diwali, Chair BEMIS .

In past he has been the Secretary of Edinburgh Hindu Mandir and President of Scottish Indian Arts Forum.

Cllr Carl John
 

Treasurer

Councillor for the West Lothian Council. Involved as a Board member of different charitable organisations, both in Scotland and Africa.

Mrs Irina Lazarenko

Convenor

Willing to serve the community with experience and knowledge.

Mrs Azra Sharif-Qayyum

Co-Chair; Convenor

Involved in the Board of other organisations. Skills in funding, mediation, governance and others.

Ms Jessica (Zonghong) Yang

Convenor

Ms Jessica (Zonghong) Yang is originally from Beijing, China. She moved to the UK in 2000.

Mr Mahmood Rajah Khan

Board Member

Rana Shams
 

Board Member

Co-Founder/Director of Sunoh Scotland, Scotland’s largest Asian radio station.

Mr Shahid Riaz
 

Board Member

A board member of the Pakistan society of Edinburgh and board member of Edinburgh MELA.

Mrs Lesley Hinds

Board Member

Former City of Edinburgh Councillor who held numerous positions in the Council, including Leader, Lord Provost and Convener of Transport and Environment Committee.

Dr Kiran Sachane

Board Member

Savita Purran

Board Member

Savita Purran  is a Information Services professional at Heriot watt University. She is  trained in Hindustani Classical Music and promotes Healthy and active lifestyle for Asian Community. She has played active Role in performing and coordinating  cultural events for Indian Diaspora With Organisations like-  Indian Consulate,  Edinburgh Mela, Edinburgh Diwali, SIAF, NKS and Milan.

Mr Saad Nazir

Board Member

Saad Nazir is a dedicated and passionate board member of ELREC, with a deep-seated drive to create positive social change, Saad leverages his experience and unwavering dedication to support initiatives that advocate for marginalised communities, encourage inclusive dialogue, and develop strategies to dismantle systemic racism.

Staff team

Parveen Ishaq
 

Office Manager



Adrian Barbascumpa
 

Finance Manager / Project Coordinator - Life is Good in Scotland Project.

Mitra Rostami
 

Open Arms Project Coordinator


Ewelina Lukaszek
 

Ethnic Minority Energy Advice Service Coordinator
 

Franciele Sobierai
 

Communities' Reduce, Reuse & Recycle Project Coordinator
 

Rafa Crombie
 

Project Assistant - Communities' Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Project
 

Adeola Adeyemi
 

African Community Link Officer - Communities' Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Project
 

Martyna Michalak
 

Conscious Living Project Coordinator

 

Cadence Yu
 

Chinese Community Link Officer
 
 

Ben Paterson
 

Fundraiser/ Project Coordinator TRSS

Nadia Bhatti
 

Workshop Leader (Efficient and Healthy Cooking program)
 

Gerry Timoney
 

Cycle Officer
 
 
 

Yara Share
 

Project Assistant TRSS/ Ethinic Minority Energy Advice/Admin