OUR TEAM AT Elevate Community Productions

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Blaise Singh, a social entrepreneur and the Chief Executive Officer of Elevate Community Productions (ECP) is passionately committed to increasing diversity in the creative industries and creating opportunities for London’s marginalised communities to thrive. Responsible for overseeing all facets of the organisation, Blaise drives the mission, fundraising,  operations, and engagement with the board of directors.

With a career spanning over two decades in the Creative sector, Blaise has made his mark as an award-winning producer and director for film, TV, and video productions. His debut feature, “Pride & Protest,” was honoured with the “Best in Fest” award at BFI Flare and premiered at BFI Southbank. His acclaimed works are available for viewing on platforms like Amazon Prime, Dekko, ITVX, and BFI Player.

Following his graduation from the School of Social Entrepreneurs, Blaise established the charity Make A Difference Entertainment (MADE). As project manager, he successfully raised over £250,000, to empower more than 1,000 underrepresented creatives by providing them with vital skills and opportunities for further education, employment, or training.

During his tenure at Global Academy, Blaise served as a media teacher, offering practical training in film and TV production to key stage 5 students. This enabled them to earn a UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma, equivalent to 3 A-Levels. Many of his students have since found employment with globally renowned media companies such as BBC, ITV, Netflix, and Sky.

At ECP, Blaise’s wealth of experiences converge to produce innovative solutions. Collaborating with communities and partners, he develops engaging stage and screen projects that empower individuals to express their voices and pursue pathways out of poverty.

Alan is an accomplished leader in the field of education and community development, currently serving as the Director of Community Partnerships and Income Generation at Cranford Community College.  With a remarkable 25 years of experience working in West London, Alan has made significant contributions to education and community development throughout his career.

Originally starting as a teacher, Alan's passion for fostering community growth led him to his previous role as Assistant Headteacher for the past 12 years, where he played a pivotal role in cultivating a strong and thriving community at the college. In his current position, Alan actively works to address the social and cultural capital deficit that persists in many areas of West London, aiming to create opportunities for individuals and uplift the entire community.

Driven by his passion for supporting young people, Alan collaborated with local MP Seema Malhotra to establish a charity called Hounslow's Promise, which provides essential support to youth in the community. Currently, he serves as a trustee and vice-chair of the organisation, actively contributing to its mission. Before his role as Chair of C-Change West London, Alan served as the Chair of Heston West Big Local for an impressive nine years, amassing extensive experience in successful community engagement.

Alan's dedication extends beyond local endeavours as he also sits on the advisory board of an international organisation called One World Strong, which provides support to survivors of violent extremism. Together with the founder of OWS, Dave Fortier, Alan initiated two global initiatives: One World Marathon and One World Football, harnessing the power of sports to foster positive change and unity.  He is currently working on a new initiative called Unbroken Cities to support cities in Ukraine.

Recognised as an expert in preventing and countering violent extremism, Alan is part of the European Union's Radicalisation Awareness Network pool of experts. His expertise has led him to contribute to various influential initiatives, including participating in a podcast for the UN Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT) on the role of sports in countering violent extremism. In 2021, Alan was commissioned by the European Union to co-write a significant report called the Manifesto for Education, which explores emerging trends and threats in the field of violent extremism.

Alan is a supporter of Chelsea FC and in his spare time, he sleeps!

Taz, a seasoned community leader and experienced film producer, brings over 15 years of dedicated service in diverse sectors, including non-profit, environmental, housing, and education across Hounslow, Hillingdon, and Ealing. Currently holding the position of Chief Executive Officer for C-Change West London, he spearheads an organisation dedicated to empowering individuals with the skills and experience essential for success in today's world. C-Change West London is committed to offering inclusive educational, wellbeing, and volunteering opportunities that are accessible to all members of the community.

Throughout his career, Taz has demonstrated a deep commitment to making a positive impact by actively supporting disadvantaged young people, local residents, community groups, and organisations. Beyond his charitable work, Taz has been actively involved in producing several films and documentaries, including "Maria Pedro Documentary," "Hard to Reach: Young People’s Views of Hounslow," "Painting," and "Between Us." Additionally, Taz has contributed to an award-winning children's book, "Max the Champion," in collaboration with BookTrust. 

Taz possesses a wide-ranging skill set that includes film producing, event management, fundraising, overseeing projects and programmes, as well as effectively coordinating and empowering volunteers. Prior to his role as the manager of Heston West Big Local, Taz played a pivotal role in training, developing, and promoting the wellbeing of young individuals at YMCA West London.

Taz has also contributed his skills and knowledge to several notable organisations, including Berkeley Academy, Groundwork South, Hillingdon Refugee Support Group, and Disablement Association Hillingdon (DASH). Currently, he serves as a governor at Cranford Community College and Berkeley Pre-School. 

Additionally, Taz actively participates in key advisory bodies, such as the Heathrow Airport Local Community Forum and the NHS North West London Co-design Advisory Body (DAB). 

He is currently a Board Director at Hillingdon Refugee Support Organisation, and Chiswick House and Gardens Trust. Taz previously held a trustee position at Thamesbank Credit Union.

Taz views his role with Elevate Community Productions as an exciting opportunity to build upon the remarkable legacy and achievements of the Big Local over the past eight years. His aim is to provide opportunities to increase diversity and inclusion and help develop social change within the film, media, and creative sectors. 

Manju Malhi is a British-born chef and food writer, celebrated for her expertise in Anglo-Indian cuisine. Raised in North West London, Manju was immersed in Indian culture, traditions, and lifestyles from an early age. Her career began as a continuity announcer for BBC Television, but her passion for food soon led her to become an acclaimed author of six globally sold cookbooks.

Manju's culinary journey is marked by her straightforward approach to healthy, scratch cooking, which has garnered her a dedicated following worldwide. She first gained widespread recognition in 1999 after winning the BBC’s Food and Drink competition, where she showcased her skills alongside Antony Worrall Thompson on BBC Two. Her talent and charisma have since made her a familiar face on ITV, Channel 5, Sky One, UKTV, and the BBC.

Throughout her career, Manju has been a prominent advocate for cultural diversity through food. She hosted a food series that reached 80 million viewers, where she introduced British dishes to an Indian audience, promoting a greater understanding between culinary traditions. Her Brit-Indi style of cooking blends her Indian heritage with the realities of urban Western life, reflecting her upbringing and the years she spent in India exploring its diverse cuisines.

In addition to her television appearances and cookbooks, including "Brit Spice," "India with Passion," and "Easy Indian Cookbook," Manju has contributed articles on Indian food to various newspapers and magazines. She has also provided voiceovers for BBC News, BBC World, and the BBC Asian Network.

Manju's contributions extend beyond the culinary world. Since 2016, she has been involved as a chef for the Heston West Big Local programme, delivering community cooking sessions in Hounslow, Hillingdon, and Chelsea and Kensington. During the pandemic, she was honoured with the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to food within local communities. She also holds the position of Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Hillingdon.

Most recently, Manju was invited by King Charles III to attend his Coronation at Westminster Abbey, a testament to her significant impact on British society. She continues to film series, such as the 40-episode series for India's largest commercial television channel, and remains dedicated to creating an inclusive society through her culinary talents and community efforts.