Executive Committee 2026-2029
Anand Gadre
Secretary
Anand Gadre is a Cost and Management Accountant and has worked with
Citibank, Deutsche Bank and UBS before retiring 3 years ago. His interests
are Cricket, Bridge and learning languages and baking cakes.
You can email Anand on [email protected]
Anil Kulkarni
Sports
Anil Kulkarni is a seasoned IT professional with 25 years of experience and a current resident of the Harrow area in London. As Sports Trustee for Maharashtra Mandal London, Anil brings both deep community roots and a genuine passion for sport to the role, having spent nearly two decades actively building and supporting community sporting life.
Anil has been a core member of Peshwa Cricket Club for over 19 years, serving at various times as Captain and Secretary, and standing as the club’s leading wicket-taker with more than 650 wickets to his name. His commitment to cricket extends beyond playing: he holds an ECB Level 2 scoring accreditation and has scored matches for the Middlesex County Cricket League and MCC, including at Lord’s.
Within Maharashtra Mandal London, Anil has been instrumental in organising the Maharashtra Cricket League for the past three years, bringing the community together through competitive and social cricket. He also founded and runs “Saturday Club,” a popular weekly gathering offering indoor games such as Carrom, Chess, Table Tennis, Pool, and Darts, designed to foster intergenerational bonding within the community. Building on this, Anil also organised a dedicated indoor sports tournament for the community, further strengthening participation and camaraderie among members.
Beyond his sporting contributions, Anil serves as a Governor at a local school, reflecting his broader commitment to community development and youth engagement. He also dedicates his expertise to helping small and medium businesses thrive, using automation solutions to drive their efficiency and growth.
An active and dedicated member of various social circles, Anil’s friendly demeanour and genuine commitment to community continue to shine through in everything he takes on.
Archin Talpade
Networking and Entrepreneurship
Archin Talpade brings a unique blend of high-level British institutional influence, c. 28 years of legal expertise, and a lifelong devotion to the Maharashtrian and Indian communities, to the Board of Maharashtra Mandal London (MML).
Born in Mumbai and raised in London from the age of two, Archin’s connection to MML is a deeply personal family legacy. He is the son of Shri. Dattakumar Talpade – a renowned Murtikar, co-founder of the MML Ganesh Utsav since 1992, and former Chief Architect of Brent who was integral to the planning of the wider Wembley Stadium and Arena development. Alongside him, Archin’s mother, Smt. Leena Talpade, an accomplished graphic designer and fine artist, dedicated years of steadfast support to the Mandal. Growing up in this environment, Archin became a fluent Marathi speaker, deeply well-versed in Maharashtrian and Indian history, and passionate about preserving our cultural roots.
Professionally, Archin is the founder of A.T. Law Solicitors, a boutique commercial and employment law practice established in 2006. After graduating with a First-Class Honours B.Sc. degree in Chemistry and Management Studies from King’s College London and later an M.Sc. degree in I.T. from Queen Mary & Westfield, University of London, he qualified as a solicitor in 1998. He honed his skills at prestigious “Blue Chip” firms, including Blake Lapthorn (now Blake Morgan) and Fox Williams in the City of London.
Today, Archin has over 28 years of experience providing strategic, confidential, and tactical legal advice. He specializes in boardroom disputes, employment and partnership law, corporate restructuring, GDPR, data protection, and complex TUPE regulations. He is regularly retained as “Standing Legal Counsel” for an array of organizations – ranging from local startups and SMEs to global financial institutions and international corporations – who rely on his pragmatic, down-to-earth approach and sharp industry knowledge to resolve critical commercial issues.
Beyond his practice, Archin holds a rare level of civic distinction as one of the first Indian members of the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers, one of the City of London’s ancient Livery Companies. As a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman, he is part of the historic fabric that maintains the City’s professional bedrock and elects the Lord Mayor. His standing in these circles has allowed him to build a high-level network entirely through word-of-mouth City connections. He is also a member of the Hindu Lawyers Association and has been invited to serve as a Trustee for other organisations, bringing robust experience in modern charity governance and empathetic community welfare.
Alongside his wife, Smt. Anjali Talpade – a self-made entrepreneur in the Recruitment and AI sectors from a prominent Indian family – Archin is deeply committed to utilizing his global networks to create opportunities for MML.
As the Networking Trustee, Archin’s vision is to establish a vibrant Professional Hub for Maharashtrians in the UK.
He is particularly passionate about cultivating and mentoring the Next Generation, acting as a bridge to show young talent, including Archin’s son, Reyansh, that they can reach the highest echelons of British corporate and civic society without ever losing their cultural identity.
Ashish Joshi
Welfare
Ashish Joshi is a first-generation UK-born Marathi and a Life Member of Maharashtra Mandal London. His relationship with the Mandal is deeply personal and long-standing. His dad, Vasant, was involved with MML for over 65 years, and his mum, Vandana, for more than 55 years and counting. Ashish grew up attending and taking part in Ganapati celebrations, Anand Bazar, cultural programmes and community gatherings, making lifelong friends through the Mandal. For him, MML has always been more than an events organisation. It is a place of belonging, connection and support for the Marathi community in the UK, and a community he cares about deeply.
Ashish served MML as PRO in 1991 and later as Vice President for two years. He has remained
involved through cultural activities and has been known to take the MML stage, acting in several three-act and one-act Marathi plays and becoming the first MML member to sing in a Sangeet play in the mid 1990s. This proved that community service can occasionally involve remembering lines, hitting notes and hoping the audience is kind. Ashish’s sister, Nina, is also currently serving MML as Building Trustee, reflecting a wider family commitment to the Mandal.
Professionally, Ashish is a values-driven, commercial senior People and HR leader, with experience as Chief People Officer, CHRO and HR Director across large companies, start-ups, manufacturing, consulting, not-for-profit, healthcare, social care and technology-led organisations. He is a Neuroscience graduate, holds a Master’s in Human Resources and Finance, and is professionally qualified through the CIPD. Over 30 years, he has held Director and Board-level HR roles across commercial, consulting, manufacturing, not-for-profit and technology-led organisations, including environments of around 5,000 people. He has also supported large-scale people growth and change, including scaling health technology organisations from around 3,000 to 10,000 people, and worked internationally across Europe, India, the Philippines and wider global teams.
As Welfare Trustee, Ashish is excited to help MML develop a trusted and practical welfare approach. His priorities include policy development, clear contact routes, confidential triage, a plain-English and Marathi Welfare Charter, and signposting to NHS, mental health and social care support. He is also keen to support students arriving from India with practical settling-in guidance, mentoring, networking and job-seeking support, including CVs, LinkedIn, interviews and UK workplace culture. He is keen to work with the Senior Citizens Club, Cultural Trustees and wider membership to reduce isolation, support carers, promote healthy ageing and help members know where to turn.
Ashish’s life is grounded by his supportive family, including his wife, Dr Shibani Joshi, a dental surgeon and endodontist, and their son, Aditya. Ashish is also known as a great cook and baker, and although he tries to be modest, the evidence disappears from the plate quickly. He brings service, discretion and care to a community that has shaped his life.
Contact email: [email protected]
Dr. Govind Kanegaonkar
NextGen
Manasi Bhuskute
IT
Manasi Bhuskute is an experienced Software Engineer with over a decade of expertise in enterprise technology and digital transformation. She has worked across the telecommunications, financial services, and satellite/aerospace industries and is passionate about using technology to support innovation, community impact, and effective governance. She holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Pune University and currently resides in Eastcote, London, UK, with her husband and son.
Originally from Mumbai, Manasi has combined her professional career with a strong commitment to community service. She has been actively associated with Maharashtra Mandal London (MML) as a volunteer for over 14 years and currently serves as an IT Trustee.
With a passion for technology, innovation, and service, Manasi is committed to delivering practical digital solutions that strengthen community engagement and support the continued growth of Maharashtra Mandal London.
Nina Joshi
Building
Nina Joshi is a second generation Maharashtrian born in the UK. Her family have been actively involved in Maharashtra Mandal since the 1950s & 1960s with her parents, Vasant & Vandana Joshi both holding several positions within the EC Committee including President and Secretary respectively. Her father has also held the position of Trustee. Since the days of St Michaels Hall, Golders Green, Nina has been involved in Maharashtra Mandal through Marathi dance performances and her roles in various Marathi Nataks. She now takes a role on the Board of Trustee as of 1st April 2019.
During her time as Trustee, she was integral in the negotiations in securing the Freehold and has come back to see this come to fruition.
Nina is a qualified solicitor and is the co-founder and Managing Director of the largest Civil Legal Aid practice in England & Wales. Though her firm also has an established private practice, assisting the most vulnerable in society is what has motivated her in her career.
Nina hopes to bring back the second generation to Maharashtra Mandal and in doing so seeks to encourage the third-generation involvement thus securing Maharashtra Mandal’s future.
Pankaj Dhotkar
Culture & Religious
Ram Bapat
Hall Hire
He is a longstanding member of the Mandal and has served two terms on the Executive committee in the past. In late nineties, he has run the Saturday Badminton Club in the Mandal, bringing the old and the young members together participating in a healthy activity. In the past, for many years, he has managed the sound system for many of our Mandal programmes. He now has the responsibility for hall hire activity.
He is a B.E.(electrical) from Walchand College Of Engg. Sangli, and has worked in Medical Electronics and Video industry before retirement. He is married to Manik Bapat who has also been a Trustee and Executive Committee member. They have two daughters and two grandsons.
You can Email Ram Bapat at [email protected]
Ratan Lele
Finance
Somnath Songire
Cultural, Entertainment & Events
Born in Jalgaon and later moving to Mumbai, I began my creative journey in the Indian entertainment industry, working across Bollywood, Marathi cinema, and television reality shows as a writer, director, and choreographer. Over the past 15 years, I have built an international career across the UK and India as a cultural leader, dance educator, choreographer, and creative director, dedicated to using arts and culture to inspire, educate, and connect communities.
I has been an active volunteer in MML especially highlighting my skills in the cultural events and entertainment last 4 years.
I am the Founder and Owner of Sam Dance Studio and SDS Entertainment and Music where I lead creative programmes, performances, workshops, cultural celebrations, and large-scale community events for people of all ages and backgrounds. My work focuses on creating inclusive and engaging experiences through dance education, stage performance preparation, flash mobs, and cultural programming that celebrate diversity and community spirit.
Alongside my creative leadership, I currently work as an Head of Activity Coordinator within Barchester – Wilsmere House Care Centre UK, supporting resident wellbeing through meaningful activities, inclusive engagement, and person-centred programme delivery.
Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience in cultural leadership, community engagement, event management, safeguarding, programme delivery, workshop facilitation, and creative direction. My passion lies in bringing people together through dance, music, and the performing arts while creating opportunities that encourage confidence, wellbeing, creativity, and cultural connection.