Originally born in Sri Lanka I was adopted as a baby from a young age, I became aware of what it meant to be visibly and culturally different growing up in a white majority environment.

Now I am a regionally and nationally respected leader in EDI, with a career spanning multiple sectors. With a strategic, values-driven approach, I have led and influenced institutional change, workforce representation, and inclusive public engagement. As Head of EDI at Newcastle University, I shape policy, improving access, and embedding inclusive practices across one of the leading academic institutions.

My career began with Northumbria Police, where I served in a range of operational and leadership roles over 16 years. From neighbourhood policing to custody supervision and later as an Inspector, I developed a deep understanding of both frontline service and internal organisational dynamics. Recognising the strong link between workplace culture and public trust, I founded Northumbria’s Positive Action Team, which focused on the recruitment, retention, and progression of underrepresented groups. The initiative strengthened minority representation and improved internal engagement. I became the first woman to chair the police Ethnic Minority Association, advocating for structural reform, fairer disciplinary processes, and improved support for minority officers. My influence extended nationally through my work as General Secretary of the National Black Police Association, where I contributed to policy on recruitment and community trust. At a time of heightened national attention on policing and race, I helped drive efforts to improve transparency and public accountability, positioning myself as a steady and strategic voice in navigating institutional reform.

I continued my leadership in the sports sector, joining Newcastle United Football Club as Head of Inclusion. There, she delivered initiatives that improved fan experience and staff practice ranging from support for visually impaired fans to LGBTQIA+ inclusion, community Iftars, faith events celebrating cultural and religious diversity. I believe that inclusion is not just a set of statements but embedded in the daily operations and engagement practices of the club.
My governance contributions span housing and culture. As a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Home Group one of the largest housing associations I advise on inclusive governance, service access, and organisational culture. I also served on the Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums committee, supporting inclusive storytelling, staffing, and public programming that reflects the region’s diverse communities.

In grassroots sport, I chair the Inclusion Advisory Board for the Northumberland Football Association, working to promote diversity in youth football, coaching, and governance. Her leadership ensures local football is accessible, safe, and welcoming to people of all backgrounds, including disabled players, migrant communities, and others historically underrepresented in the game. This is a volunteer role that I hold as it is important to give back in non paid ways too.

At Newcastle University, I lead institution-wide EDI strategy across a complex organisation of over 30,000 students and thousands of staff. My remit includes policy development, inclusive recruitment, staff training, and culture change. I oversee reporting mechanisms and progress measurement, ensuring that compliance with sector standards is matched by meaningful cultural transformation. A strong advocate of using data to inform change, I am committed to building systems where inclusion becomes embedded in everyday practice.

I am regularly invited to speak at national forums, leadership events, and sector conferences, including the National Housing Conference, Women in Sport, and Women into Leadership. My speaking style is strategic, insightful, and grounded in real-world experience, which has helped me appeal to audiences ranging from community groups to senior leaders and policymakers.

Beyond my formal roles, I support the development of future leaders through mentoring, including through her voluntary work, one of such was Police Now. She uses mentoring as a tool for long-term change, helping others develop the confidence and capacity to lead inclusively and effectively. I have just finished a recent mentoring stint through a programme run by Northern Power Women.

My legacy includes improved workforce equity in policing, expanded inclusive access in professional sport, strengthened governance in housing, and sector-wide transformation in higher education. Through each of these roles, I hope that I have contributed meaningfully to a more inclusive and representative model of leadership one rooted in ethical clarity, evidence, and collaboration. My aim is that through my work and leadership I continue to help shape environments where people from all backgrounds can hold space, contribute, and thrive.