Paresh Solanki is an accomplished media professional and social innovator, distinguished by his unwavering commitment to amplifying marginalised voices and catalysing social change. With a dynamic and impactful career, he wields the power of media technology, compelling storytelling, and creative ideas to empower communities, spearhead impactful projects, and drive meaningful advancements in advocacy, awareness, and sustainable development.
His recent endeavours vividly illustrate this dedication to leveraging media for social good. Paresh collaborated with Alzheimer’s Research UK on significant community photographic work for their Dementia Ambassadors programme, bringing sensitivity and visual insight to a crucial cause. He has served as a dedicated videographer for Oracle Head and Neck Cancer campaigns, helping to raise awareness and support. For Leicester Infirmary Hospital, he produced a video series promoting the life-saving message of Organ Donation. His poignant series of photos and videos, BUA50, offered a powerful platform for Ugandan Asians Commemorations to share their experiences of expulsion and resettlement, a project now accessible on YouTube.
Furthermore, he produced a compelling series of testimonies addressing the diverse impacts of COVID-19 for the Media Diversity Institute (MDI) and other community COVID series for NGOs. Paresh’s commitment to community service and the arts is further demonstrated by his role as a Trustee for SAMPAD, a leading South Asian arts and heritage organisation. His photographic expertise also consistently benefits esteemed charities such as the Bob Willis Fund, Together in Action Trust, Inter Faith Week, the Inter Faith Network for the UK, Near Neighbours, JHOD, and United Religions Initiative, using his lens to highlight important narratives and human stories.
Paresh’s extensive career foundations were firmly laid during a distinguished tenure at the BBC, where he held several senior executive and producer/director positions. A landmark achievement was his creation of the BBC Mega Mela festival. This pioneering and award-winning initiative provided a national platform for diverse Asian talent in television, radio, and live events, opening vital opportunities for marginalised communities to gain mainstream exposure. His international impact was evident when he served as the International Coordinator for Bob Geldof’s Live 8, adeptly integrating concerts across ten countries in a monumental media event to combat poverty. He also spearheaded the complex £45M relocation of BBC Birmingham as Executive Director/Chairman of the Board for BBC Relocation, demonstrating exceptional project management, strategic leadership, and change management skills.
Beyond the BBC, Paresh served as a Media Expert for the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, advising on and contributing to European-wide campaigns examining critical social, political, and media issues across 12 European cities. As Assistant Director (Communications & Development) for the Inter Faith Network for the UK, he pioneered and project-managed the annual National Inter Faith Week, an initiative that has grown to incorporate over 500 events nationally and continues to foster understanding, dialogue, and collaboration across diverse faith communities.
Paresh’s multifaceted skill set encompasses a broad spectrum of media disciplines. He is an accomplished journalist, producer, director, photographer, editor, and Communications Consultant, adept at crafting compelling narratives across various platforms. His organisational prowess shines in project management, innovation, strategic planning, and developing sustainable funding strategies. He excels in organisational development for NGOs, helping them build robust infrastructures, raise crucial funds, and significantly enhance their media profiles. His people-centric approach emphasises effective communication, diplomacy, mentoring, and the strategic use of IT and media to create efficient, user-friendly processes. He has also dedicated time to media training, empowering community groups and young people linked to NGO projects with essential leadership and media skills.
Underpinning all of Paresh’s work is a profound commitment to social justice, diversity, and ethical media practices. He is a longstanding Trustee for the Media Diversity Institute, working globally to improve journalistic accuracy and responsible media coverage, and for the Sandford St Martin Trust, which awards excellence in faith-related broadcasting. His public service includes contributions to various government-linked committees on social cohesion and faith. As a Fellow of the Royal Television Society (FRTS) and The Institute of Leadership & Development (FInstLM), and a member of BAFTA and the British Psychological Society, Paresh is widely recognised for his leadership and significant contributions to the media landscape and social advocacy.
Paresh Solanki remains a dynamic and influential force in media-inspired social innovation. He consistently leverages his vast experience, creative vision, and unwavering dedication to support charities organisations, empower communities, and foster a more inclusive, equitable, and understanding society. His work is a testament to the enduring power of media to effect positive and lasting change.
