Yasin El Ashrafi is a multi award-winning mentor, entrepreneur and community leader from Leicester. He is the Managing Director of HQ CAN, where he leads projects supporting young people, creativity and community development. Yasin is also the owner of HQ Recording Studio and the HQ Familia record label, and is a member of the Leicester Music Board. With a background spanning music, venues, events and mentoring, he has promoted hundreds of live events featuring regional, national and international artists across a wide range of genres. He was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to young people, music and mentoring, and was recently awarded an honorary doctorate in music from in recognition of his support for students and the local creative industries.

Chetan Patel is Director of Operations at HQ CAN, supporting the delivery of creative projects, events and partnerships across music, arts and community programmes. With over three decades of experience as a DJ, presenter and events professional, he has worked across Leicester’s music and nightlife scene, alongside regional and national events. Performing as THE OLD BOY, Chetan is known for eclectic open-format sets spanning soul, jazz, funk, house, hip hop and rare groove. He has collaborated with HQ Recording on a wide range of projects including BrewBeat, the Leicester Music Conference, The Leicester Business Festival and the Create & Grow series. He also presents The Official Sunday Best Breakfast Show on Radio 2Funky FM.

Kate Rounding is Director of Partnerships at HQ CAN, where she supports the development of creative programmes, partnerships and progression opportunities for young people across Leicester and Leicestershire. Her work focuses on connecting education, industry and community through music, technology and inclusive creative practice. Alongside her role at HQ CAN, she is Executive Director of TiME, a national organisation championing music technology in education. Kate is a regular contributor to Music Teacher Magazine and recipient of the Music Teacher Magazine Editor’s Award 2026. She is a member of the Leicester Music Board, and her background spans music education, alongside work as a musician, studio engineer and producer.