learning for life

LFL People

  • Minaxi Desai

    Minaxi, a seasoned Human Resources expert, joined LfL in 2007. She has over 25 years experience in HR starting her career with the Ford Motor Company and has gained experience in the Entertainment Industry (Thorn EMI). She has worked the last 16 years within the Logistics Industry (United Transport International, Danzas, Tibbett & Britten, and Exel). A British citizen, Minaxi is the daughter of Gujarati parents, and was born in Tanzania. She has a BSc Combined Honours in Science, from the University of London and an MA in Administrative Sciences, from the City University Business School. Minaxi is also a member of the Institute of Personal Development (IPD).

  • Shernaz Engineer

    Shernaz's career in recruitment has spanned 25 years. She is the founder of Verity Appointments, primarily a legal secretarial agency, and then Verity Education, an agency which supplies permanent and temporary staff to schools and other educational establishments.

    In addition to joining Learning for Life's board of Trustees in 2004 Shernaz is an active member of European Federation of Black Women Business Owners and was EFBWBO winner in 2000. Shernaz was awarded the 'London Day Business Award' by Ken Livingstone in 2003 for making a difference to life in the Capital. She is Vice-Chair of Governors of Charlotte Sharman School in Southwark, a member of Bank of England Small Business Advisory Panel, and a board member of the Equal Opportunities Commission investigation into Pregnancy Discrimination.

  • Perosha Tengra

    Perosha was appointed Treasurer in April 2008. Perosha is a partner in a small Chartered Accountants based in Holburn that was established in 1984. In September 2008 Perosha took part in our Paris to London cycle event, Cycle for Life, raising a huge sum for Learning for Life.

  • Chris Hough

    Chris joined the board of Learning for Life in 2004. He is a barrister practising in the fields of medical law and catastrophic personal injury, and a Director of a charity supporting medial facilities and staff in Orissa, India. Chris was instrumental in developing the Cycle for Life event in 2008, a successful fundraising cycling challenge from Paris to London that we look forward to sponsoring for many years to come. Chris brings much enthusiasm to his role as trustee, and also as a fundraising participant himself!

  • Cyrus Todiwala, MBE

    Cyrus is Proprietor and Executive Chef of the Café Spice Namasté restaurant group. Cyrus graduated from Mumbai's Catering College and trained as a chef with the famous Taj Group, India. He moved to Europe in 1991 and now runs two London restaurants - Café Spice Namasté in the City, and The Parsee in Highgate. In 2000, Cyrus was awarded an MBE in recognition of his extensive knowledge, skill, commitment and expertise in the restaurant and catering industry. Cyrus is a passionate believer in'lifelong learning' and is a pioneer of training and development schemes within the catering industry. Cyrus has also been a member of the National Advisory Council for Education and Training Targets since 1999.

  • Laurence Percival

    Laurence Percival has spent a 25-year career in marketing and advertising in both creative and management roles. Beginning as a writer and Creative Director, he created campaigns for major brands like The Sunday Times, Intercontinental Hotels, British Airways and Nike. His campaign 'The Sunday Times is The Sunday Papers' was one of the longest running in UK advertising.

    Laurence joined the board of Trustees in 2004 and was responsible for the re-branding of Learning for Life. Laurence and his team at his agency Percival have been instrumental in transforming our website into its current vivid form and developing and producing all recent marketing materials. His current clients include The Ritz London, The Dorchester Collection, The Fitness Industry Association and Savills.

  • Elizabeth Horgan-Novarro

    Elizabeth Horgan-Novarro is an Irish citizen who was born and educated in Ireland and spent several years living and working in New York. Elizabeth was formerly a product development professional with Liz Claiborne and Polo Ralph Lauren. Elizabeth was an associate with St. Andrews Textiles, a textile and apparel producer based in New York.

    Elizabeth holds a university degree in British Literature from Hunter College and a university degree in Textile Development and Marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology and is a member of the British Textile Counsel. During her time in New York, she served Project Outreach Ireland, an Irish charity, for nearly two years.

  • Suniya Qureshi - Fundraising

    Fundraising.  Suniya first worked with LfL in 1998 as an office volunteer, when studying for her Masters Degree. At this time, she met the founding trustees Charlotte Bannister-Parker and Sophie Swire. After completing her Masters in Media and Cultural Studies, she worked in Print/Radio and Asian TV, dabbling in some work for the BBC World Service as well. From there she went into relationship management and marketing for a publishing house, often fundraising for LfL whenever an opportunity arose.

    She is now working as a Strategy Advisor for the Department of Work and Pension and is still very passionate about the work of LfL. She is currently writing a short novel, and once published she intends to give part of the sales proceeds to LfL. Suniya joined our board of trustees in Spring 2008, and will be helping to increase our fundraising efforts.

  • Rebecca Harrison - Programmes and Fundraising Officer

    Rebecca joined Learning for Life as a volunteer in July 2006 after completing a degree in politics at the University of Warwick and returning from travelling across Africa, Australia, New Zealand and South America. Rebecca was employed as Programmes Assistant in January 2007 and as full time Programmes Officer in September 2007. Rebecca is responsible for the day-to-day running of LfL, fundraising, finance and programme management.

  • Rokunuz Zaman - Programmes Coordinator

    Zaman joined Learning for Life as Programme Officer in April 2007. He has a degree in Humanities from Rajshahi University in Bangladesh, with work experience including The British Leprosy Relief Association, Disability and Development Partners, Health Link Worldwide and Handicap International to name a few. Zaman is responsible for developing, designing and managing projects, training and supporting our partner NGO's, strategic planning, and fundraising.