Friends of Baale Mane Trustees
The Friends of Baale Mane Gopalapura is a UK registered Charity which exists for the sole purpose of supporting Baale Mane. The trustees work closely with the Baale Mane Indian trustees to build capacity in the home and to fund raise internationally.
CHRIS HARRISON, CHAIRMAN AND CO-FOUNDER
Chris co-founded The Friends of Baale Mane in 2007. He is Chairman of his local civic society and the director of a number of companies. Formerly he was a partner in Leaders’ Quest, and before that a partner in Ernst & Young where his roles included Managing Partner of the South of England and European head for the technology sector.
matt clarke, CO-FOUNDER
Co-founder of The Friends of Baale Mane, Matt is the President of Switched On Global Limited, a UK company specialising in facilitating diverse parties to collaborate on complex business situations. Originally from Melbourne Australia, Matt has lived in London since 1997 where amongst other roles, he spent 13 years as a director of Nowhere Group.
PAULA PATEL, TREASURER
Paula worked in the reinsurance industry for more than 35 years in various roles including Operations, Finance and Compliance in the UK & in Switzerland. She was also Managing Director of Swiss Re, Bangalore in India for a number of years. It was during this period that she first met and engaged with Baale Mane. Paula is a regular visitor to Bangalore and actively engages with Baale during all her visits.
SANDEEP DWESAR
A founder trustee, Sandeep was previously Joint Managing Director and prior to that, Chief Operating and Financial Officer of the Barbican Centre and Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He has held a variety of non-executive roles for many years and is involved in a number of corporate, creative and charitable organisations, including a trusteeship of the London Transport Museum, and the charity Help Musicians UK.
BALRAJ TANDON
With his brother Sunil, Balraj runs Park Garage Group, one of the UK’s largest independent forecourt retailers. Born in India, and a UK resident since childhood, Balraj has been a passionate supporter since first visiting Baale in 2010.
MARK HODGKINSON, secretary
Mark was formerly a senior partner specialising in commercial real estate in a City of London solicitors’ practice. He became a Trustee following his first visit to the Baale in 2010 when his daughter was working there as External Relations Manager.
VICKY CHENERY
Vicky is Head of Partnerships and Philanthrophy at UK Youth. She began her career with a two year contract working as External Relations Manager at Baale Mane. Her experience of life at Baale and extensive experience in the sector since working at Baale bring a fresh perspective to the trustees.
PHILIPP LOTTER
Philipp is Managing Director, Head of Global Ratings and Research at Moody’s investor services. Philipp became a trustee in 2015, having been a supporter for a number of years, inspired by the vision to improve the lives of the girls in our care. He visits Baale every year .