Who is on the Panel?

David works locally for MP Alberto Costa and has previously been a District Councillor. David is a member of the LGBT+ community, and feels he is aware of the significant challenges that the community still face despite all the progress that has been made.

David recalls as a young university student learning of the Admiral Duncan Bombing and memorably the strength of the community who came together and supported one another, which David states impacted him greatly. David is passionate about improving victim experiences with Hate Crime and encouraging reporting, having consulted District Youth Council in the past to gather their views and understand the problems being faced. David also chaired the previous Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel that was being run by Leicestershire Police and from that role has gained a valuable insight into hate crime figures locally over the years, and how hate crimes are handled. David was keen to re-apply these skills and knowledge on the refreshed panel. David believes that partnership working is what makes our communities safer and looks forward to making an impact working alongside the OPCC and Force.

Ajay is a qualified solicitor. He has a background in social justice, advocacy, and public policy, with a focus on human rights and addressing systemic inequalities. Ajay has had a successful academic journey in community cohesion, research and law (MA. LLB, Ph.D.) which he feels has given him a deep understanding of the root causes of hate crimes and the societal structures that perpetuate discrimination. Ajay feels that through his career, he has a strong understanding about the structural inequalities within our social, political, and economic framework, and many other challenges of community cohesion at various levels.

Through Ajay’s professional work as a solicitor, he has engaged in various initiatives aimed at combating hate, fostering inclusion, and advocating for marginalized communities. This includes collaborating and working with different voluntary and nonprofit organizations on anti-discrimination campaigns, conducting research on hate crime trends, and working directly with victims to ensure their voices are heard in the justice system. Ajay applied to the Hate Crime Panel because he is deeply committed to addressing the rising tide of hate crimes and ensuring that all individuals feel safe and valued in their communities.

Richard was born and brought up in Wellington, Somerset and moved to the Bristol area with his family in his teenage years. He spent most of his working life in Bristol apart from a few years in London. He moved to Narborough in 2013 with his wife and son. Richard has qualifications in business studies and was for many years a professionally qualified health educationalist. Until his retirement in 2012 he was a senior manager in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

He spent 25 years as a policy advisor on biodiversity and conservation in Defra and its predecessors and has represented the UK internationally including heading UK delegations to two major intergovernmental environmental conferences (COPs). Outside of his work, Richard has been a charity trustee on the board of one of the UK’s leading health charities for over 35 years and has chaired the board on three separate occasions. He is now an elected member of Narborough Parish Council. Richard applied to become a panel member as he believes that equality, respect and trust are vital components of effective community policing.

Prof Nandini Chakraborty is a general adult psychiatrist working in an early intervention in psychosis service in Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.

She is also an honorary professor with the department of population health sciences in the University of Leicester. She was one of the associate deans of the Royal College of Psychiatrists from 2016-2021 and is currently the clinical lead for psychiatry recruitment into training for NHS England, Workforce Training and Education.

She holds other educational roles with GMC and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. She works with various charities and volunteering organisations. She has an interest in global mental health and has volunteered in Nigeria and Malawi for mental health training. Professor Chakraborty is interested in improving victim experience with Hate Crime and identifying and promoting best practice.

Barbara’s professional journey encompasses a diverse range of sectors, including academia, healthcare, governmental  and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), all centred around inclusion and public dialogue. She brings extensive experience in strategy development to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) while effectively engaging stakeholders and public contributors.

Barbara co-delivers multidisciplinary research projects designed to support and enhance the skills, knowledge, and confidence of researchers, particularly in involving ethnic minorities and seldom-heard communities throughout the entire research cycle. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, which is a unique global network of researchers and changemakers dedicated to innovative social impact research. he is the Founder and Chair of Project, Polska, a grassroots organisation dedicated to supporting the Polish diaspora. She frequently offers advisory support to national and regional organisations on issues related to community cohesion, integration, and inclusion.

Holding a master’s degree in human Rights and Global Ethics, Barbara has developed a strong foundation in the theories of human rights and equity, complemented by an interdisciplinary perspective on tackling societal challenges in a globalised world. Her BA Hons in Public Policy, Government, and Management, along with extensive professional experience in the public sector, has provided her with a deep understanding of the complex dynamics involved in contemporary policy-making processes. She is eager to apply her skills and knowledge by participating in the Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel, where she will focus on examining and addressing issues related to hate crimes within the community.

Brigitte qualified as a fashion designer in Vienna majoring in Accountancy and Business Management. On her move to the UK she specialised in further and higher education and became Head of Post 16 Education and Training for South East Wales of the Funding Council for Wales. She served on the Cardiff Bench as a Magistrate for 20 years ensuring fairness for all, followed by a ministerial appointment for the All Wales Probation Board. She served on the Gwent College Board and their Finance Committee. 

On moving to Leicestershire, she joined the Board of Governors of Leicester College. In addition, she is working with the Patient Participation Group (PPG) as well as the Patient Participation Involvement and Assurance Group (PPIAG) of the Integrated Care Board (ICB) of the NHS. Fairness, Inclusion and Diversity are all integral to her work and Scrutiny is an important aspect of ensuring these principles.

Rosie has worked in various roles within mental health in the NHS for the last 21 years, she is currently the Service Manager with responsibility for a number of specialist services for adults. Before joining the NHS, Rosie worked in the PR and advertising sector advising on corporate law matters. Rosie has supported her services to reach out into the diverse communities we service across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland raising awareness of the impact of mental health and how to access support.

During COVID, Rosie supported with setting up the Mental Health Central Access Point which is a 24-hour mental health telephone helpline. Rosie was successful in joining the Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel and hopes her experience and skills will help to improve the support provided to victims of hate crime.