Meet the New Citizens' Gateway Trustees
Prof Sanjiv Ahluwalia (Chair)
Sanjiv has been the Head of the School of Medicine at Anglia Ruskin University since 2022. Previously, he served as the Regional Postgraduate Dean for Health Education England (HEE) in London, where he was responsible for liaising with NHS England and promoting and supporting regional and national healthcare programmes across the capital.
Since 1999, he has practised as a General Practitioner in Barnet, initially in Burnt Oak before moving to West Finchley. His work with patients from abroad sparked his interest in refugees’ and asylum seekers’ health and care needs, motivating his involvement with New Citizens' Gateway.
Sanjiv has a longstanding passion for developing people and is actively involved in educating future doctors across London.
“I decided to join NCG after reaching a chronological milestone with a desire to give something back to the community I have worked and lived in for a significant proportion of the time. I have been supporting NCG as a trustee since 2019.”
Geetha Saba-Nathan (Treasurer)
Geetha was born in Sri Lanka and has made the UK her home since leaving the country in 1984 following the start of the civil war.
She is a qualified accountant and has worked across a range of sectors. In 2008, she followed her passion for supporting communities by joining Groundwork South Trust, a community and environmental charity, as Head of Finance.
In 2012, Geetha joined Blue Sky Development and Regeneration, a social enterprise employing ex-offenders to help break the cycle of reoffending through paid employment. As Financial Controller, she was responsible for all aspects of finance and was proud to be part of an organisation that transformed lives by providing job opportunities, training, financial support, and pathways into long-term employment.
Geetha took voluntary retirement in 2018 and has since remained active within her local community.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be the Treasurer of New Citizens’ Gateway and being part of an organisation that enhances the lives of asylum seekers and refugees from many war-torn nations.”
Dr Penny Trafford
Penny has been a resident of North London all her life. She worked as an NHS General Practitioner for 34 years and retired after 26 years as a GP in Burnt Oak, Edgware.
In 1998, Penny collaborated with the group affiliated with Barnet Voluntary Services Bureau, the organisation that would later become New Citizens' Gateway, helping to improve primary healthcare services for refugees in the local community.
Penny was also heavily involved in postgraduate medical education and served as an Associate Dean at London University, leading the International Doctors Unit for 12 years. The unit supported internationally trained doctors, refugee doctors and EU General Practitioners.
Key Projects
- Clinical Experience Scheme & Refugee Doctor GPVTS – Supported refugee doctors in gaining UK clinical experience and securing permanent NHS posts. More than 300 refugee doctors were helped into NHS employment through this programme.
- EU GP Project – Helped expand the UK's General Practitioner workforce by supporting recruitment and integration of European GPs.
- Communications Skills Unit – Established a specialist unit to improve communication skills for both internationally qualified and UK-trained doctors from all specialties who required additional professional support.
“I am now privileged to be involved with New Citizens’ Gateway as a Trustee, to enhance strategy and governance structures, and support the many ways NCG, through practical schemes, seeks to enhance refugees’ lives and build a cohesive local community.”
Sanja Dujmovic Potnar
Born and raised in Bosnia, Sanja Dujmovic Potnar made the United Kingdom her home in 1993. Since then, she has built an extensive career in senior management across the charity and public sectors, specialising in service delivery, programme management, and organisational development.
Professional Experience
- Charity Sector – Held senior management positions with RETAS (Refugee Education Training Advice Services) and the Helen Bamber Foundation, supporting refugees and vulnerable communities.
- Public Service – Worked at Barnet Council's Registration and Nationality Service, contributing to the delivery and development of essential public services.
- Climate Action (2021–2022) – Worked with the Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE), organising Student–MP Climate Surgeries across London schools and helping deliver the Schools Climate Summit during London Climate Action Week in 2021 and 2022.
- Association of Commonwealth Universities – Since June 2023, Sanja has worked as a Programme Officer, promoting UK higher education for international development across the Commonwealth.
“Supporting the refugee sector in London and the UK has been my long-standing commitment. I believe that by offering insight into my own experience of being a refugee and using my capacity building, networking and liaison skills, I can help shape service provision, user involvement and partnership co-operation for New Citizens’ Gateway.”
Fanta Sheriff
Fanta came to the United Kingdom in 2014 as a refugee from Sierra Leone. She studied for an LLB (Law Degree) at Birkbeck, University of London, before completing an LLM in Human Rights Law at Queen Mary University of London. In 2019, she was awarded Birkbeck University's Success Bursary in recognition of her outstanding academic achievement.
Alongside her studies, Fanta has volunteered with a number of organisations, including New Citizens' Gateway, Rainbow Money Advice Barnet, and Advice4Renters in Brent. Her work has included support services, administration, advice work, and community engagement.
Professional & Community Contributions
- Completed Universal Credit Training with CPAG.
- Became a certified adviser through Community Money Advice, achieving a Level 3 Certificate.
- Became a member of the Institute of Money Advisers (IMA).
- Served as a Year One Law Chat Mentor at Birkbeck, supporting new law students.
- Currently serves as a Trustee of Belifted, a grassroots community-led organisation dedicated to empowering women.
“I am very grateful to the entire staff at NCG, not only as a service user but also for the opportunity to volunteer in various areas. This experience has greatly aided my academic studies and has been very rewarding for my mental health. It is my honour to serve as a trustee of NCG as a small way to give back for what they did for me and to be part of the support network helping others in similar situations.”
Esmond Rosen
Esmond Rosen has dedicated his career to education, community development and interfaith engagement. Beginning as a Physical Education teacher, he went on to serve in a variety of leadership roles, including Director of the Liverpool Jewish Youth & Community Centre. In 1986, he was elected Chair of the Liverpool Faith Network, reflecting his longstanding commitment to strengthening relationships between faith communities.
Throughout his career, Esmond has worked with a number of national organisations, promoting community development, volunteering and social cohesion while supporting people from diverse backgrounds.
Leadership & Community Contributions
- Served with the Board of Deputies of British Jews as Director of Community Issues and later as Community Development Manager for Borehamwood Synagogue.
- Appointed Regional Development Manager for the Jewish Volunteering Network.
- Served as a Trustee of the Jewish Youth Fund and continues as a Trustee of the Inter Faith Network.
- Edited an educational booklet highlighting the role of Righteous Muslims who saved Jewish lives during the Holocaust and were recognised by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations.
- Currently serves as the elected President and Trustee of the Barnet Multi-Faith Forum, representing the voice of the faith sector across one of London's most diverse boroughs and strengthening strategic partnerships with Barnet Council.
Esmond Rosen
Niks immigrated to the UK with his family at the age of 11 from Latvia. He is a recent university graduate with a degree in Economics. Nik’s passion for the third sector stems from his own lived experience of receiving vital support from charities. He is now keen to support charities that help some of the most vulnerable groups of people in society.
In December 2024, Niks joined the Lived Experience Council at GambleAware, where he advocates for young people’s interests. He also volunteers for various organisations focusing on mental health and youth work, including being a Peer Support Volunteer for people experiencing gambling harm, serving in an advisory capacity on various mental health research projects, and sitting on a youth advisory group for an employability charity.
“Joining NCG’s Board of Trustees as a Youth Representative is an exciting opportunity to contribute to an organisation that plays a vital role in supporting young refugees. I look forward to working collaboratively with fellow trustees and NCG staff to strengthen the organisation’s impact, ensuring that the voices and perspectives of young people remain central to the design and delivery of its services.”
Dr Fariba Kellaway
Fariba is a Trustee at New Citizens' Gateway with over 30 years of leadership experience in fundraising and business development across the UK's education and non-profit sectors. During the 1990s, she spent five years at the Iranian Association, supporting refugees and asylum seekers as both a Fundraising Manager and Case Worker.
Throughout her career, Fariba has developed extensive expertise in leading teams and generating income through major gifts, trusts and foundations, corporate sponsorships, events, membership programmes, and annual giving campaigns.
Professional Highlights
- Over 30 years' leadership experience in fundraising and business development.
- Five years supporting refugees and asylum seekers through the Iranian Association.
- Expert in Major Gifts, Trusts & Foundations, Corporate Sponsorships, Events, Membership, and Annual Giving.
- Holds a PhD in "Globalisation and National Identity: A British Case Study" from the London School of Economics (1999).
- Extensive experience teaching Sociology and Humanities in higher education.
“I am delighted to join NCG as a Trustee. These are highly challenging times for refugees and asylum seekers and the organisations that represent them. Yet the work of organisations such as NCG in representing and integrating refugees and asylum seekers has never been more needed. The work enables refugees and asylum seekers to learn how to be good citizens in the UK, integrate better, learn new skills, and make a positive contribution to society. In doing so, the work also supports local communities to better absorb their immigrant population.”
Dr Antonina Lagun
Dr Antonina Lagun is an executive and non-profit board member with more than 20 years of experience in financial leadership, governance and risk management. As Deputy Chair at a leading financial organisation, she led a £4 billion merger, and as Chief Financial Officer within a diversified holding group, she oversaw £800 million in assets and managed more than £470 million in cross-border transactions.
Having resettled in the United Kingdom due to the war in her home country of Ukraine, Dr Lagun brings valuable lived experience of forced displacement and understands the challenges faced by people rebuilding their lives in a new country. She has also contributed extensively to governance and stakeholder engagement within both charitable organisations and non-profit membership bodies.
Professional Highlights
- Over 20 years' experience in financial leadership, governance and risk.
- Led a £4 billion organisational merger as Deputy Chair of a leading financial institution.
- Oversaw £800 million in assets and managed more than £470 million in international transactions as Chief Financial Officer.
- Brings personal lived experience of forced displacement after relocating from Ukraine.
- Experienced in governance, strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement across the charitable and non-profit sectors.
“Inspired by NCG’s holistic model and the emphasis on empowering clients to lead their own progress, I hope to bring my expertise in finance, risk, and strategic planning to the Board. My goal is to strengthen governance and financial sustainability while ensuring that every strategic decision deepens the organisation’s social and community impact.”