Stephen Hickling

Stephen Hickling brings over 20 years of diplomatic experience to his role as a Deputy High Commissioner, where he has served in leadership capacities across multiple countries, including Peru, Kazakhstan, and Albania. He has demonstrated expertise in Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia, and Latin America, contributing significantly to bilateral and multilateral diplomacy efforts. Notably, Stephen has played a pivotal role in crafting policy initiatives and managing project portfolios abroad, including the development of the HMG Strategy for the Andean region, shaping key program initiatives such as CSSF.

On a personal level, Stephen Hackling is celebrated for his exceptional leadership skills and proficiency in crisis management within the UK, delivering insightful briefings to ministers and senior officials. He has garnered recognition for his adeptness in public diplomacy and representational duties, consistently advancing diplomatic objectives with finesse and effectiveness. Stephen's remarkable career is underpinned by a strong educational background, having pursued rigorous training and education in diplomacy and international relations.

Nitin Nayar

Nitin launched Filter Capital India in 2018 specialising in growth investments opportunities in technology including Internet, e-commerce, software, IT, payments, logistics, education and health. Nitin was a Managing Director at the affiliate of the US-based global investment firm Warburg Pincus LLC where he worked for 14 years.

Nitin is a graduate of the Harvard Business School. He is currently a Member Board Trustee in SNEHA which is a non-profit organization that works with women, children, public health and safety systems.

Rashmi Barbhaiya

Dr Rashmi Barbhaiya is a distinguished pharmaceutical executive known for his global contributions to drug development and innovation-driven companies. With over two decades of experience, including leadership roles at Bristol-Myers and Ranbaxy, he has spearheaded groundbreaking advancements in R&D. His journey exemplifies a commitment to excellence and collaboration, inspiring future generations of pharmaceutical leaders to drive meaningful advancements in the field.

His visionary leadership extends to co-founding Advinus Therapeutics, a venture that addressed core R&D challenges and achieved profitability within its first decade. He has a Ph.D. from the University of London.

Arjit Johri

Arjit Johri is the Vice President at Mars Shot Ventures, an early-stage, sector-agnostic investment initiative by the Razorpay Founders. At Mars Shot Ventures, he is actively engaged in advising startups on fundraising, strategy, and growth, leveraging his expertise to help companies scale. He has also co-founded Project Reach Foundation, working on sustainable development and technology solutions in healthcare.

Prior to this, Arjit gained extensive experience in venture investing and startup analysis through roles at Bharat Innovation Fund, IIMA Ventures, and EY, where he assessed and supported early-stage businesses.

He has an MBA Tech in Finance from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS).

Elli AvrRam

Elli AvrRam is the first Swedish Greek actress to work in Bollywood. Elli came to prominence after participating in the Indian reality TV show Bigg Boss which helped her become a household name. Elli has worked in various South Indian and Hindi movies like Mickey Virus, Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon, Naam Shabana and others.

Elli took an interest in figure skating, singing and dancing from her initial years. Her song Chamma Chamma for the movie Fraud Saiyyan gained over 200 million YouTube views in just three days after its release. She has four new projects coming this year.

Milapsingh Jadeja

Milapsinh Jadeja is the founder of Iroller Capital, a strategic financial advisory firm supporting startups in partnership with “FAVCY” - one of India’s largest venture builders. He is also an angel investor with over 20 years of experience, backing a portfolio of 70+ companies globally, and a Director, mentor, and investor at ANFT, a company pioneering next-generation lithography and nanotechnology, and serves on the Advisory Board (India) at MIELI Private Office (by MIELI Capital Ltd).

Milapsinh created "Kal Ke Krorepati," a show spotlighting entrepreneurs from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. He also co-chairs the Startup Committee at the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI). Milapsinh has produced multiple films, including "Ghaath," which premiered at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival.

Milapsinh has completed his Executive Education from University of California -San Diego and Ahmedabad University.

Dr Chirag Thakkar

Dr. Chirag Thakkar is the Founder & Director of Adroit Centre for Digestive and Obesity Surgery, specializing in gastrointestinal, advanced laparoscopic, and bariatric procedures. He has extensive expertise in treating gastro-intestinal conditions and performing abdominal, laparoscopic, weight loss, and hernia surgeries.

Dr. Thakkar is a member of several prestigious medical associations, including the Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India (AMASI), Association of Surgeons of India (ASI), The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSED) and others.

He is an MBBS from B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, and completed his MS in General Surgery from N.H.L. Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad.

Anar Thakershy

Anar Thakershy is the Vice President of TiE Ahmedabad. She is also the CFO and Director of Abhinav Group of Companies, a key player in construction and real estate. She has led Anar Thakershy & Associates, specializing in management consulting, business process restructuring, and financial strategy. Anar serves as the CFO & Trustee of Thakershy Charitable Trust, overseeing J S Hospital, a charitable healthcare facility in Ahmedabad.

She has over 30 years of experience, an entrepreneur, and mentor with a deep commitment to social impact. A passionate mentor, she actively guides young professionals and entrepreneurs. As Vice President of TiE Ahmedabad, she leads its Women Wing, championing women’s entrepreneurship and leadership development.

Anar is a Chartered Accountant.

Kamal Bansal

Kamal Bansal is the Founder & Managing Partner at BRK Ventures, offering strategic guidance and seed investing in businesses seeking growth. He has over 20 years of experience in venture capital, private equity, investment banking, and capital markets. Kamal has expertise in investment appraisal, business due diligence, and structuring, with successful ventures like BillDesk and e-Infochips.

Kamal was previously the Managing Director at GVFL Limited, where he focused on early-stage investments in technology-driven sectors. He also led corporate advisory services and fundraising at Bonanza Portfolio Ltd., serving various industries.

He has an MBA in Finance from Kurukshetra University.

Jeff Roix

Jeff is the CEO of Stingray Bio, a biotech company headquartered in Sussex UK, focused on the discovery and development of novel small molecule cancer therapeutics. He also serves as a director on the board of Opal Therapeutics.

Jeff is a scientist and biotech entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in discovering medicines. He was also the founder and CEO of NeoPhore Ltd, a UK based cancer immunotherapy biotech. Prior to that, he worked as COO at PhoreMost, a Cambridge University spin-out. He got his bachelor’s from the Harvard Extension School.

Dr. Savan Godiawala

Savan is a Senior Director at Deloitte India and leads the process industry in the corporate finance India team and also a part of Deloitte Global Chemical Affinity Group. He is also a visiting faculty at IIM-A. He has 23 years of advisory experience covering investment banking, restructuring, M&A, business valuation, and due diligence, serving large national and
multinational clients across industries. Savan is an angel investor and mentor to many startups.

He has also co-authored a book on ‘Business Taxation’ published by McGraw Hill. Savan is a Chartered Accountant and has a Ph.D. in management from Nirma University.

Cecilia Oldne

Cecilia is a Business Advisor and Brand Strategist and works with companies in the food and beverage industry. She also holds partner and ambassadorial roles across a spectrum of industrial, governmental and social organisations. She is a Partner in Amphora Portfolio Managment - London’s leading Fine Wine Investment Firm.

Cecilia was instrumental in the success of Sula Vineyards as the Head of Marketing in which she curated SulaFest - one of India’s most awaited music festivals. She is also the Brand Ambassador for Sweden-India Business Council, a network for growing business between Sweden and India.

Dr. Catherine Beech

Dr. Catherine Beech OBE is a physician entrepreneur and a co-founder and CEO of Exonate, a biotech company working on therapies to treat vascular diseases. She has recently led the company onto a ground-breaking collaboration with Johnson and Johnson to develop a new eye drop for the treatment of retinal vascular diseases.

Catherine also co-founded the Cambridge Gateway Fund, an early stage fund that invested primarily in spinouts from UK Universities. She has invested in and sat as a non-executive director of 12 early stage companies helping them to grow and in some cases achieve successful IPOs or trade sales. Catherine has a degree in medicine from Birmingham University and was awarded an OBE in the year 2008 for her services to technology and innovation.

Ingit Anand

Ingit Anand is the Project Lead at Collated Ventures LLP. With expertise in Project Management, Planning, Business Strategy, Internal Audit, and Performance Management, he contributes valuable insights to the real estate industry. Ingit's disciplined approach and effective time management skills allow him to maintain a balanced professional and personal life, including a dedicated workout schedule.

In addition to his professional achievements, Ingit holds an impressive athletic background, having completed the Ironman triathlon six times, along with four half iron distance triathlons, three Olympic distance triathlons, one sprint distance triathlon, three full marathons, and numerous half marathons. His most recent endeavor includes participating in the Ultraman Australia 2023 Ironman Race.

Ingit has a Master's degree in Construction & Project Management from CEPT University.

Dr. Sunil R Parekh

Dr. Sunil Parekh is currently Senior Strategy Advisor to two Indian MNCs - Zydus Cadila Healthcare Group and Jubilant Bhartia Group. He has 42 years of working experience with corporates in India, Africa & the US. He is an empanelled Arbitrator and a Fellow of the Indian Council of Arbitration ICA. He is also the Board Member of Centre for Pastoralism CfP

He is a Start-up Evangelist, deeply involved with Gujarat’s Start-Up ecosystem, several Universities, Industry Bodies like FICCI National Executive. He is also associated with global organisations like WEF Geneva’s Ahmedabad Shapers Initiative & The Value Web. He is the founder Chairman of PanIIT Alumni Association (Gujarat). He is also on board of some leading NGOs and is the Chairman of FICCI - Gujarat Start-up Sub Committee.

He has received many national awards for his work including ‘Outstanding Contribution to National Development - OCND’ by IIT Delhi, ‘ET ICON Entrepreneur 2018’ for Excellence in Corporate Advisory & Support to Start Ups.

Evelyn Sharma

Seams for Dreams (SFD), the brainchild of Bollywood actress turned philanthropist Evelyn Sharma, is an Indian non-profit organization that was founded in the year 2015. Launched in association with VOGUE, India’s leading fashion magazine, the organization started with the aim of bringing the film and fashion industry together to spread the love for fashion and create awareness for the communities in need of appropriate clothing. SFD strives hard to make an impact using the universal love for fashion and since its inception, the organization has been an accelerator in generating the trend of sustainable fashion in India. Through its various programs, campaigns and partnerships, the organisation has been inspiring and encouraging people to donate their own used clothes to the ones in need through Seams For Dreams.

SFD main objective is to supply clothing to the less privileged, reaching from Mumbai across the country. Completing two successful years and around 100 outreach efforts and impacting the life of over 10,000 individuals, the organisation spearheaded by Evelyn Sharma, has been able to draw in the attention of the Indian film and fashion industry and emerged as the favoured place to discard used clothing of film stars, movie production houses and fashion stylists; and with it’s high profile supporters sees glamorous events like the annual SFD Garage Sale to raise funds in support of it’s social development projects.

Mark Slaski

Dr. Mark Slaski is the Chief Psychologist with Workplace Buzz and is a leading expert in the field of engagement on which he has published a number of articles. He is also a senior lecturer in Organisational Psychology. He believes ‘a culture of high engagement equals superior performance, an increased sense of belonging and well-being’.

Mark has worked across the globe advising executives on aligning people, business and culture. His greatest asset is his insight into human psychology. Mark is also the author of Equaliser; a globally used online survey and toolkit designed to transform workplace engagement.

Sanandan Sudhir

Sanandan is the President & CEO of the global product design & development group - Invent India, focused on taking new product ideas right through to prototype development and manufacturing. He is also the Founder of Indian Inventors Association, a global platform for bringing all inventors & innovators together.

Sanandan has worked with the likes of GE, Dell, GSK, Shell, Tata, Symphony, Eureka Forbes, Godrej, Voltas, Michelin, Polycom, Amul and others. He has deep insights of both local & global perspectives in relation to market differentiation, product design practices, consumer preferences & trends. He is an inventor at heart, and has been granted 6 patents (UK and USA) for his inventions while 21 others are pending in various stages. He is also a visiting faculty at NID Ahmedabad, NIFT and CEPT.

Akshay Gupta

Akshay is the Business Head of Scouto, and Co-founder of Quixote, a cutting-edge automotive tech start-up specializing in connected cars. With a proven track record of innovation, he co-founded Scouto, recently acquired by Spinny. At Quixote, Akshay spearheads the design, engineering, and manufacturing of end-to-end technology solutions for the connected car industry.

Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Akshay is also a skilled racecar driver and angel investor. Akshay's achievements extend to representing India and Nissan India at the Asian finale held at the renowned Silverstone racetrack in the UK.

Akshay has a degree in Automobile Engineering from Indus University.

Anuj Sharma