Latika Parashar is a Senior strategy and technology professional with 7+ years of experience across Business Analysis, Digital Transformation, Insurance, BFSI, Product Consulting, and AI-driven innovation initiatives.

Holding a B.Tech along with an MBA in Marketing, she brings a strong combination of strategic thinking, business consulting, customer-centric problem solving, and technology transformation expertise. Her experience spans across operational transformation, product implementation, stakeholder management, process optimization, and digital platform initiatives within fast-paced enterprise environments. She specializes in helping organizations modernize operations, improve customer journeys, and unlock sustainable business growth through strategy, technology, and intelligent solutions.

Banu Balaji is an experienced Occupational Therapist based in Ireland and CEO of Therapix, a telehealth and therapy resource platform.

She supports global training and recruitment of childcare workers and allied health professionals and serves as Direct International’s recruitment agent for South Africa, the Philippines, and India.

Andrew serves as the UK contact for Direct International Recruitment. He brings 16 years of laboratory experience as a senior technician/biomedical scientist and 25 years as a science educator.

His expertise includes:

• CPD development and delivery
• Project management
• Staff mentoring and teamwork
• Policy and compliance planning
• Curriculum alignment and leadership

Andrew has successfully managed recruitment processes, training programs, and compliance initiatives. One of his notable achievements includes improving student results from E grades to A* within three months for a Cambridge University project in Mongolia.

He is also a published author and has extensive international teaching experience in the Middle East and North Africa.

A highly accomplished educator and administrator with over four decades of leadership experience across Southeast Asia and the MENA region. James brings a strong global perspective and expertise in recruitment, executive search, and workforce planning for leading educational institutions and multinational organisations.

He specialises in cross-cultural talent acquisition and aligning organisational strategy with human capital needs, ensuring operational excellence and sustainable growth.

Sagar Nikam is a technology leader and entrepreneur with over 14 years of experience across the banking and private sectors. He has led the development of scalable, high-performance platforms, including core banking systems, digital wallets, and marketplace ecosystems.

As the Founder of Efovinity Australia, Sagar provides strategic technology consulting, helping businesses build innovative and scalable digital solutions.

In his role as CTO at IHA International Healthcare Australia, he leads the technology vision and platform development for a global healthcare ecosystem, enabling seamless connections between international patients and Australian healthcare providers.

Sagar is known for aligning technology with business outcomes, fostering high-performing teams, and delivering impactful, long-term solutions.

Mairead holds a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies from University College Cork and has over 14 years of experience across all aspects of childcare.

Her experience includes hands-on childcare operations, management roles, and rebranding and relaunching childcare facilities. As a mother of two young children, she understands the importance of high-quality staff in creating nurturing environments and providing peace of mind for parents.

Kay Cogan is a Brisbane-based CEO with over 40 years of experience in the childcare industry. Her qualifications include studying at UQ under Dr Ann Silcock, an MEd/PGCE from St Mary’s University London, a BA (Hons) from University College Cork, HighScope training from the University of Michigan, and a Business Diploma from Cork College of Commerce.

Kay opened her first private childcare centre in Sunnybank Hills, Brisbane, in 1983. She later founded the Queensland Childcare Institute, graduating 60 childcare staff every six weeks through a 180-hour program (50% theory and 50% practical). She successfully scaled this model across Brisbane before exiting to ABC Learning plc.

She replicated this success internationally in London (exiting to Whitbread plc), as well as in Ireland and China, where she exited to private investors. Kay is deeply passionate about childcare and is committed to maintaining honesty and integrity at the core of Direct International.