Umesh Pandya

Umesh is the Design & Product Director at HealthLumen, leading the development of new data-driven services that assist decision-makers in improving health outcomes for people living with non-communicable diseases worldwide. He is also a Venture Partner at the impact investor Bethnal Green Ventures, where he coaches founders on the accelerator program and across the investment portfolio in design, strategy and digital product delivery.

Since 2017 Umesh has been working with social entrepreneurs and impact investors to design the Social Venture Canvas - a tool for entrepreneurs who want to build thriving, purpose-driven businesses that respect the wellbeing of people and the health of the planet. This project is a continuous labour of love in assisting those who assist others.

Previously, he co-founded Wayfindr in 2015, a multi-award-winning, social tech, not-for-profit organisation that empowers vision-impaired people to navigate the world independently. In 2017 Wayfindr became a UN standard and the world's first international standard for audio-based indoor navigation. In addition to becoming one of Nesta's and The Observer's 50 New Radicals in 2016, winning best in show at the IXDA Awards and receiving a Tech4Good Award amongst numerous other awards.

From 2011 to 2015, he led the product development of FinTech products for Barclays Bank that has improved the banking experience for older people and people with physical and/or cognitive impairments. For many people, this was the first time they were able to access their money independently.

Umesh holds an MA in communication design from Central Saint Martins, is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Design Associate at the Design Council, and an ex-trustee for the Creative Conscience charity.