Our Executive Team
DANIEL ADAMS
Daniel is the CEO of Akshaya Patra UK and believes deeply in seeking a more just world for everyone, especially those who are disadvantaged, vulnerable or marginalised.
He is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of school meals for children living in poverty, having witnessed their impact first-hand across Africa, India and the UK.
Daniel joined Akshaya Patra in 2023, following 12 years working for Mary’s Meals, where he served as UK Executive Director and Global Director of Communications and Fundraising.
Having originally trained and worked as a journalist with publisher DC Thomson in his native Dundee, Daniel now lives in Glasgow with his wife Jenn, two sons, and their border terrier Macduff.
Outside of his day job, Daniel practises his faith, follows his football team, enjoys the theatre, and volunteers as a trustee with a social care charity and a refugee support organisation.
Email – daniel.adams@akshayapatra.org.uk
RADHIKA IYER
Radhika’s transition from a career of 15 years in journalism to the non-profit sector in 2018 was inspired by her firsthand experiences while working on award-winning documentaries in South Asia.
Witnessing the impactful work of organisations like Akshaya Patra during her visits to schools in India deeply moved her, igniting a passion for advocating for nutritious meals in school to promote better attendance and learning for children. Radhika joined Akshaya Patra in 2019 after stints with media outlets including NDTV, Twitter UK (now X) and India Today.
As a volunteer with Vipassana Meditation and the Hare Krishna movement, Radhika is a believer in the power of food in bringing people together across cultures and communities.
Radhika’s interests outside of work include a love for travel, cricket and cooking her grandma’s recipes. Radhika is a trained fire cadet and volunteered during the Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017.
Email – radhika.iyer@akshayapatra.org.uk
DR KALAKANTHA DASA
Following his 2009 graduation in Medicine from St John’s Medical College in Bengaluru, India, Dr Kalakantha Dasa chose the path of spiritual education and social service.
Kalakantha received his religious formation with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in Bangalore, before going on to serve in various positions with The Akshaya Patra Foundation in India.
In 2019, he was appointed to play a leading role in the establishment of Akshaya Patra’s first international kitchen in Watford, England, and continues to spearhead the delivery of nutritious meals to hungry children in the UK today as Akshaya Patra UK’s Director of Programmes.
Kalakantha is incredibly appreciative of the highly skilled and committed staff and volunteers who make up his Kitchen Operations, Food Quality and Safety, and Programmes Development teams.
Away from his daily work with Akshaya Patra, Kalakantha delights in practising and sharing the teachings of Lord Krishna.
ERIKA LOCH
Erika is an independent, multi-sector business and brand consultant, writer, poet and general agitator against social injustice.
She is passionate about small and independent businesses, writing and the arts, education, and the transformative work of Akshaya Patra.
Erika initially joined Akshaya Patra in 2020 to support the opening of its first international kitchen and has since supported the organisation’s strategic development across various projects and initiatives.
Erika, who studied Media and Communications at Western University and is currently Vice Chair and Trustee of their UK Foundation Board, grew up in Canada before moving to the UK in 2001 to pursue a career in the commercial sector.
She has worked at the international level for over twenty years, and decided to co-found brand strategy network, PROJECTile, in 2017 in order to support founder-led SMEs.
When not busy advising startups or collaborating with brands and charitable organisations, Erika can be found scrawling in her journal, working on her new book, or practising the spoken word.
Email – erika.loch@akshayapatra.org.uk