UK India Connect

Aravind Vijayaraghavan is Professor of Nanomaterials in the Department of Materials and the National Graphene Institute at The University of Manchester, where he leads the Nanofunctional Materials Group. He is Head of Internationalisation (India and Business Engagement) for the Faculty of Science and Engineering. His research covers the science and technology of graphene and other two-dimensional materials, particularly for composites, electronics, sensors and biotechnology. He was previously a senior postdoctoral associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.

James Young has over a decade of experience helping brands grow through the emotion and social impact of sport.

He led the restructuring of British Cycling’s commercial strategy, securing Lloyds Bank as lead partner in one of the largest financial investments in Olympic sport.

He now leads the commercial interests of Manchester Super Giants, building on the momentum of the cricket franchise’s first championship-winning campaign.

Ani Kaprekar FRSA is a Manchester-based, Mumbai-born polymath whose career spans technology, entrepreneurship, business and the creative industries.

He serves as Senior Counsel - India at Trafalgar Strategy, a global advisory, communications and reputation management firm whose senior team has advised prime ministers, cabinet secretaries, business leaders, high-net-worth individuals and public figures around the world.

Working across the UK–India corridor, Ani advises CEOs on cross-border opportunities, partnerships, growth, reputation management and strategic relationships.

He is also Co-founder of Tech India Advocates, a not-for-profit global advocacy group championing India’s technology ecosystem and strengthening connections between Indian innovation and international markets.

A recognised voice in the wider UK–India corridor, Ani sits on the FICCI North England-India Industry Council and has spent many years building relationships across business, government, investment, technology and the innovation ecosystem in the UK, India and internationally.

Alongside his business career, Ani has deep roots in the arts. A formally trained actor and filmmaker, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, he serves on the boards of Opera North and Rifco Theatre Company and is a Brand Ambassador for the Manchester Indian Film Festival, bringing a distinctive creative perspective to his work with leaders and organisations.

Drawing on more than three decades of leadership experience and eclectic interests, Ani works across sectors, cultures, geographies, disciplines and generations, connecting people and ideas across technology, business, culture and creativity to shape conversations and create meaningful change.