Meet the New Citizens' Gateway Trustees

Geetha Saba-Nathan (Treasurer)

‘Geetha was born in Sri Lanka and has made the UK her home since leaving Sri Lanka in 1984 following the start of the civil war.

She is a qualified accountant and has worked in various sectors and followed her passion to work in the charity sector by joining a community and environmental charity -The Groundwork South Trust, as the Head of Finance in 2008.

In 2012, Geetha joined Blue Sky Development and Regeneration, a social enterprise which only employed ex-offenders to help them break the cycle of reoffending by providing paid employment into entry-level jobs. As Financial Controller, Geehta was responsible for all aspects of finance and was very proud to be part of an organisation that positively impacted the lives of ex-offenders by providing them with job opportunities, training, financial support, and onward employment.

Geetha took voluntary retirement in 2018 and has since been active in the local community.

Geetha said: “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.”

Prof Sanjiv Ahluwalia

Sanjive 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 programs 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 the New Citizens' Gateway. Sanjive has a longstanding passion for developing people and is actively involved in educating future doctors across London.

Sanjiv said: “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.”

Dr Penny Trafford

Penny has been a resident in North London all her life. She was an NHS general practitioner for 34 years, and retired after 26 years practising as a GP in Burnt Oak, Edgware.

In 1998 Penny collaborated with the group affiliated to Barnet Voluntary Services Bureau working with refugees, (the origins of New Citizens' Gateway) to enhance local services for refugees in primary care.

Penny was involved in postgraduate medical education and an Associate Dean at London University, leading the International Doctors Unit for 12 years. This unit dealt with internationally trained doctors, refugee doctors and EU GPs. Projects included:

Clinical Experience Scheme and Refugee Dr GPVTS supported refugee doctors in practicing in the UK and getting substantive posts in the NHS. Over 300 refugee doctors were helped into NHS posts by this scheme
EU GP Project enlarging the GP workforce for the UK

Penny set up the Communications Skills Unit to improve communication skills in internationally qualified and UK-trained doctors from any speciality requiring remedial help.

Penny Said: "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

Sanja Dujmovic Potnar was born and raised in Bosnia, Sanja made her home in the UK in 1993. Since that time, she worked as a Senior Manager in a variety of organisations including charities (RETAS – Refugee Education Training Advice Services, Helen Bamber Foundation) and public service (Barnet Council – Registration and Nationality Service). Her roles have been mainly in service delivery, programme delivery and organisational development.

From 2021 to 2022 Sanja worked in the area of climate change issues as part of the Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment, and she organised a number of Student – MP Climate surgeries in primary and secondary schools across London as well as contributing to the organization of the Schools Climate Summit as part of the London Climate Action Week 2021 and 2022.

Since June 2023, Sanja has worked as a program officer for the Association of Commonwealth Universities, promoting UK higher education for international development.

Sanja said, “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 up service provision, user involvement and partnership co-operation for NCG”. 

Fanta Sheriff

Fanta came to the United Kingdom in 2014 and as a refugee from Sierra Leone. She studied an LLB (Law Degree) at Birkbeck University of London and proceeded to study an LLM in Human Rights Law at Queen Mary University of London. Fanta was awarded a Success Bursary by Birkbeck University based on Merit in LLB in 2019.

Fanta has also been volunteering with numerous organisations such as New Citizens' Gateway and Rainbow Money Advice Barnet.  Her role in these two organisations ranges between support work, administration and advice work. She also did some voluntary work with Advice4Renters in Brent.

In addition, Fanta completed the Universal Credit Training by CPAG, became a certified Advisor with Community Money Advice with a Level 3 certificate and became a member of the Institute of Money Advisors. As well as this, she was chosen to be a year one Law chat mentor at Birkbeck University of London. Fanta am is currently a Trustee with Belifted grass roots community led organisation with a vision to uplift women.

Fanta said, "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's background is as a PE teacher and in various community roles, including director of the Liverpool Jewish Youth & Community Centre. In 1986, he was elected Chair of the Liverpool Faith Network. He undertook appointments with the Board of Deputies of British Jews as Director of Community Issues and then as Community Development Manager of Borehamwood Synagogue.

He was appointed Regional Development Manager for Jewish Volunteering Network and was a Trustee of the Jewish Youth Fund and is also a Trustee of the Inter Faith Network.

He has edited an educational booklet on the Role of Righteous Muslims who saved Jewish lives during the Holocaust and were recognised as Righteous Amongst the Nations by Yad Vashem for their bravery and heroism.

He is now retired from professional work and is the elected President and Trustee of The Barnet Multi-Faith Forum; Barnet is the most diverse multi-faith borough in London and was the first in London to publicly sign a Covenant acting as the Voice of the Faith Sector with this strategic partnership arrangement with the Council.

Tata Issa Sougui

Born in Chad, Tata arrived in the UK at 17 as an asylum seeker, having fled conflict and political persecution in Chad. He was given refugee status in 2021. Since arriving, Tata has been supporting NCG as a Youth Team Leader and then as a Youth Volunteer. He now works part-time in retail while studying and taking exams. He started a new university course in Project Management this year. Tata speaks multiple languages, including English, Arabic, French, and Toubau.

Following on from the experience of fleeing Chad, the dangerous journey to the UK and his struggle with rebuilding his life in the UK, Tata is keen to support asylum seekers and refugees in the UK and wants to support NCG with his recent and most relevant experience of having been an asylum seeker himself.