Interview panel
We are pleased to introduce our Interview Panel for the buildings in Round Three. They'll be considering applicants on the dates of 30 July, 6 August and 7 August.
Bella Colafrancesco (all dates)
Bella is the Assistant Director of Culture, Leisure and Learning at the Council. She is a public-sector transformation leader with extensive experience helping councils, charities, and community partners rethink how local services and spaces can better serve their communities. She specialises in making complex challenges manageable; bringing clarity, structure, and a practical focus to projects that involve multiple stakeholders and big decisions.
Her career spans leisure, regeneration, public health, and strategic partnerships. This includes leading major change programmes, securing investment for community assets, and redesigning services for long-term sustainability. Bella is particularly skilled at aligning ambition with financial and operational reality.
Eric Thomas (30 July)
Eric is the Events Officer within the Policy, Partnerships and Cohesion team at Harrow Council. He works closely with Council departments, event organisers, stakeholders, and members of the public to support the planning and delivery of events across the borough.
His role includes reviewing and assessing applications for events held in Harrow's parks and open spaces, ensuring they meet Council policies, safety requirements, and relevant legislation. With experience in stakeholder engagement and event management, Eric plays a key role in helping to deliver safe, well-organised, and successful community events.
Neil Macdonald (30 July)
Neil is an experienced business entrepreneur, now retired, having developed and run several tech startup businesses. Most recently he co-founded a health-tech business that uses circadian and AI technologies to assist people living with dementia. The business was part of the Alzheimer’s Society Accelerator programme.
He is a director of Harrow Rugby Club where he has been a volunteer for over 20 years and runs the junior section, as well as having responsibility for the commercial operations of the club. He also volunteers with Reveley Lodge Trust in Bushey Heath.
Denise Robertson (30 July)
Denise Robertson has lived in the borough for forty years. She takes a keen interest in her local community, volunteering for many years with the Harrow Hill Trust and the local branch of the Samaritans.
She spent much of her career with Marks and Spencer, joining head office as a fabric technologist straight from university. Her progression through the company eventually led to responsibility for a multi-million-pound clothing buying department. At senior level she played an integral role in driving corporate change and supporting its impact on staff and suppliers.
After leaving M&S, she set up a company facilitating the sourcing of garments from world-class Indian and European manufacturers into top UK retailers, principally her former employer. After fourteen rewarding years, she retired and now has time to indulge in her interests: studying ceramics at Harrow College and looking after her West Harrow allotment.
Cllr Paul Osborn (6 August)
Cllr Paul Osborn has lived in the Borough for over 30 years and has fought for many years to save Pinner’s Police Station and to support local businesses. Since May 2022, he has been Leader of Harrow Council, as well as Leader of the Conservative Councillor Group since 2017. Under his leadership, Harrow Conservatives gained control of the Council for the first time since 2006.
He worked for a number of years in the IT sector in the City of London and Docklands, along with serving as the Chairman of the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and Vice Chairman of Conservative Way Forward. Cllr Osborn is a keen American Football fan, supporting the Miami Dolphins and enjoys Country music and Bourbon.
Prathitha Hewavisenti (6 and 7 August)
Prathitha is the Managing Director of Oliva Casa Ltd, where she oversees a residential property portfolio, including property acquisition, refurbishment, asset management and tenancy management. She has extensive experience in evaluating property investment, managing refurbishment projects and ensuring the long-term sustainability of residential assets.
She is also Treasurer of Kingsbury Charity, an almshouse charity providing affordable housing alongside grant-giving activities. In this role, she leads on financial governance, strategic planning, budgeting, investment oversight and long-term financial sustainability, supporting both the charity's housing provision and its wider charitable objectives.
Prior to focusing on property management, Prathitha held senior finance and management roles across the private sector, with responsibility for financial reporting, commercial analysis, governance and operational improvement.
Andrew Morrison (6 and 7 August)
Andrew is a UK-based entrepreneur, media strategist and facilities manager whose career bridges creative enterprise and community service. He began in artist management, taking actor and media personality Jazzie Zonzolo (known for roles in Anuvahood and Sumotherhood) under his wing and developing his brand, presence and media platform.
In 2021, Andrew and his wife Shireen were named “Small Business of the Year” by Lloyds Bank in recognition of the growth and social impact of their media-PR enterprise. They were also acknowledged by entrepreneur Steve Bartlett and profiled in The Sun, which highlighted their achievements and community impact.
Andrew has a strong commitment to youth development, having run music programmes at Rooks Heath High School and Hatch End High School, and served as a judge at the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge in Harrow. Alongside his creative work, Andrew brings 8 years of professional facilities management experience from Hyve in Paddington.
Sharon Strutt (7 August)
Sharon is the Assistant Director of Regeneration at the Council where she leads major housing and regeneration programmes. She has over 18 years’ experience in north and east London delivering regeneration, placemaking and economic development initiatives. Furthermore she has extensive expertise in partnership working, investment, town centre renewal, and the delivery of inclusive growth and community benefits.