The Board of Aakash Odedra Company is delighted to announce that Skinder Hundal MBE will soon take over as Interim Executive Director of Aakash Odedra Company. He will replace Ali Robertson, who has been Interim Executive Director since 2022. Ali will continue with the company as Executive Producer.
Skinder Hundal is a distinguished UK cultural leader with a 30-year career focused on diversifying the arts and cultural sector and the creative economy. As Director of Arts at the British Council (2020-2024), he led global arts programmes across 200 countries and territories. Currently, he chairs the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Cultural Leadership Board and is an Associate of the World Cities Culture Forum working closely with Justine Simons, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, London. He continues to support various arts organisations as a trustee, advisor and mentor.
Ali Robertson said: “Aakash Odedra Company is on fire. Over the last three years we have toured four continents to ever-larger audiences with award-winning productions like Samsara (two-time Critics Circle National Dance Awards nominee), Songs of the Bulbul (The List’s Best Show – Edinburgh International Festival 2024) and Mehek (2024 UK Theatre Award for Achievement in Dance). Back home, we have expanded our training and participation work, reaching tens of thousands of people at our home in Belgrave, Leicester and elsewhere. I have been proud and honoured to lead this work alongside our peerless Artistic Director, my friend Aakash Odedra. The company is well placed to keep thriving and moving forward. However, we have thought for some while that the company will best be able to take the next step with senior leadership based in Leicester. I am totally delighted for AOC that Skinder is joining and I look forward to continuing my creative connection with the company.”
Skinder Hundal said: “Aakash Odedra’s artistic vision and the company’s dedication to blending tradition with contemporary forms creates a whirlwind of inspiration. Their productions deeply resonate, bringing meaning, joy and awe to audiences, artists, peers and stakeholders, incubating vibrant communities. This is why it is an honour for me to be joining the team as the interim Executive Director. I eagerly anticipate how we can further amplify this impact by harnessing the power of dance and artistic innovation.”
Aakash Odedra said: “”Over the last three years, Ali has helped me and the company to make work that is very close to my heart and to take it to many of the great stages of the world, while also working with love with our communities at our home in Belgrave. I am very excited that Skinder is joining us at this exciting time and believe that his knowledge, wisdom and networks will drive us to ever-greater heights.”
Bhuvan Sharma and Sabra Khan, joint Chairs of Aakash Odedra Company, said: “The board is delighted to welcome Skinder Hundal to Aakash Odedra Company as our Executive Director (Interim). His appointment comes at a pivotal moment as we look ahead to an exciting future, building on past successes and expanding our impact in Leicester, across the UK and internationally. With Aakash’s visionary creativity and Skinder’s leadership, we are confident the company is poised for dynamic growth — celebrating the Midlands, Aakash’s South Asian heritage, and pioneering new artistic collaborations. We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Ali for his immense contribution over the years. We are pleased that he will continue to support the company’s upcoming productions.”
