Parents, founders, trustees and committee members, connected by a shared purpose: helping children and families thrive.
Where it began
Our founders
Dr Puvan was the driving force behind the creation of Sparks. He recognised the need for a parent-led community that could bring families together, connect them with useful knowledge and professional input, and create a place where parents could support one another. Since the earliest days of the group, he has given a significant amount of his own time, energy and effort to developing Sparks and helping it grow.
Praba, Roshan and Nava came together with Dr Puvan as co-founders, helping turn that vision into a working parent group and contributing to its development over the years. The four founders continue to serve as trustees of CHILD SPARKS.
Dr Kanagasabai Puvanendran · Thanabalasingam Prabakar · Roshan Tharakesan · Nava Ramanan
Guiding our charity
Our trustees
Founder, Chair & Trustee
Dr Kanagasabai Puvanendran
Dr Puvan founded Sparks in 2018 and serves as Founder, Chair and Trustee. He was the driving force behind creating a parent-led community where families could share their experiences, learn together and find understanding and practical support.
A retired Senior Consultant Paediatrician with NHS England, Dr Puvan brings a lifetime of public service and professional experience of children’s health and development to the charity. His commitment to helping others extends beyond his clinical career through his active involvement in society and community life.
Since Sparks began, he has devoted substantial personal time, energy and effort to bringing parents, professionals and supporters together. As Chair, he guides the charity’s purpose and development, keeping the needs of children, young people and their families at the heart of its work.
Co-Founder & Trustee
Thanabalasingam Prabakar
Praba co-founded Sparks in 2018 and serves as a Trustee, contributing to the charity’s strategy, technology and long-term development. He helped turn the founders’ shared vision into a working parent-led support group and has remained committed as Sparks has grown.
An IT consultant in the banking sector, Praba brings experience of technology and practical problem-solving to the charity. He also supports charitable fundraising through adventure challenges, including hiking, cycling and trekking to Everest Base Camp, combining his enthusiasm for the outdoors with a desire to help others.
At CHILD SPARKS, Praba draws on these interests and professional experience to support thoughtful planning, effective use of technology and fundraising. He shares the founders’ commitment to building a welcoming community in which children, parents and carers can find connection and support.
Co-Founder & Trustee
Roshan Tharakesan
Roshan co-founded Sparks in 2018 and serves as a Trustee, bringing financial experience and a strong focus on governance to the charity. He helped establish the parent-led group and continues to support its direction as CHILD SPARKS develops.
As a Head of Finance, Roshan brings professional knowledge of financial management, accountability and sound organisational oversight. Within the charity, he looks after finance, audit and governance matters, helping ensure that resources are managed carefully and that decisions are supported by clear information.
Roshan’s contribution helps provide a dependable foundation for the charity’s work with children, young people and families. Alongside his fellow trustees, he supports responsible planning and the stewardship needed to sustain a parent-led community for the future.
Co-Founder & Trustee
Nava Ramanan
Nava co-founded Sparks in 2018 and serves as a Trustee, supporting the charity’s strategy, governance, technology and long-term development.
Outside Sparks, Nava is a senior technology leader and Director of Technology within UK Government, with more than 25 years’ experience across government, defence and industry. He is also a Chartered Engineer, Chartered IT Professional, Chartered Cyber Security Professional, Fellow of BCS and the Institution of Engineering and Technology, and a serving British Army Reserve officer.
Nava brings his professional experience in leadership, technology and organisational transformation to Sparks, alongside a strong personal commitment to helping children and young people with neurodevelopmental needs and their families.
VS
Trustee
Vijithra Sivabalan
Viji joined the trustee team in 2025, adding a valuable parent and community perspective as CHILD SPARKS moved towards its formal charitable structure and next stage of development.
As a book club administrator, she brings a wealth of knowledge, a love of shared learning and experience of bringing people together. Her close connections with parents help her understand the questions, interests and everyday concerns that families bring to the community. She also draws on the practical organisation and initiative that come with running her own business.
Within CHILD SPARKS, Viji supports parent engagement and shared learning, helping keep family perspectives connected to the trustees’ discussions. Her contribution strengthens the charity’s emphasis on listening, understanding and building a welcoming network of support around children and their families.
Joined 2025
Our committee
Our committee helps turn the charity's aims into practical activity. Committee members support areas such as family engagement, activities, communication, administration, events and community work. The current committee includes around eight members, including roles such as Committee President and Secretary. Names and roles will be added once the current list is confirmed.
01
President
Helps coordinate the committee and brings people together around the charity’s activities and priorities.
02
Secretary
Supports meetings, records and communication, helping the committee stay organised and connected.
03
Treasurer
Supports financial records, budgeting and reporting, working alongside the trustees on responsible use of funds.
04
Committee Members
Bring their skills, ideas and community connections to help organise activities and support families.
