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November 4 / Uncategorized

UK Ambassador Samira Mohamed Ali attends Cerebra Reception at No 10

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On Tuesday 3rd November children’s charity Cerebra held a prestigious fundraising reception at 10 Downing Street that was hosted by Samantha Cameron.

As a national charity Cerebra supports children with brain related conditions and their families by funding ground-breaking research, supplying top quality advice and information and providing direct support services.

The reception at 10 Downing Street was an opportunity to celebrate the charity’s work while raising Cerebra’s profile and generating essential support.

Samira Mohamed Ali, UK Ambassador for Cerebra, said: “I am truly honoured and privileged to be at this event in such a distinguished venue with all the families and guests. The work of Cerebra is so important in research and supporting hundreds of families that have children with neurological conditions. The charity is growing from strength to strength and we at Tanabi Films will soon be hosting an UK Premiere for our latest feature film ‘By Any Name’ to raise money and awareness for Cerebra”.

Chris Jones, Chief Executive of Cerebra, said: “I am extremely grateful to both Mr and Mrs Cameron that we are able to be at No 10 Downing Street today. It is an honour shared by everyone present. Mr Cameron, as Leader of the Opposition, wrote to Cerebra with the following words: “’I am delighted to welcome the work of Cerebra, which has done so much to help support children, and their families, in cases where children are living with neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy. I am sure the practical support and information you provide has been a lifeline to people – especially parents – in times of need, and that the ground breaking research you have sponsored will help future generations too. Many people have cause to be grateful for all you have done’. I am sure then that Mrs Cameron’s kind offer to host today’s event at this venue, steeped in history and of such gravitas is not without the depth of sincerity that I imagine. We are proud of what we do. We are proud of the people with whom we do it. Most of all we are proud of the families who we support. They are an inspiration and deserve all the recognition we can give. Today we are here at No 10 to do just that”.

Guests at the event were joined by several families that have received support from Cerebra, including David and Mary Jane Hoyle from Hull whose daughter Annie-May was born with massive brain damage. David and Mary Jane spoke movingly at the event telling guests that “when we were told about Annie-May’s problems we felt lost and alone with nowhere to turn. But Cerebra have been a true friend to us and have been with us on a journey from the start, giving us the support we needed”.

Laura and Brendon Jones explained that their eight year old daughter Violet has a very rare chromosome deletion. Her condition affects her in many ways – she is profoundly deaf and visually impaired, non-verbal and unable to walk or stand unaided. She has profound and multiple learning disabilities and has complex health needs. Despite all her difficulties Violet is a joy to all who know her. She has endured many operations, procedures, tests and hospital stays and is often poorly, however she is a happy, giggly girl who enjoys life to the full and loves to cuddle and be with her family. Cerebra have helped the family with a stay at their specially adapted holiday home, a grant for a specialist trike and sledge designed by the charity’s Innovation Centre. Mum Laura said “Life with Violet brings many challenges but Cerebra helps families like us enjoy the good times together, making special memories”

The charity’s fundraising group ‘London Minds’ were instrumental in ensuring the success of the evening. ‘London Minds’ was set up with the concept of forming a small group of individuals from various corporate backgrounds who identified strongly with Cerebra’s purpose and aims, and who were keen to promote the charity’s work to likeminded souls within the city, whether they be friends, colleagues or associates. For charities, opportunities to communicate their message to potential supporters in big business are few and far-between -arguably more so in London than anywhere else. The London Minds group aims to grow support for Cerebra organically, with members actively engaging friends, colleagues and associates who they feel will be genuinely interested in hearing about the charity’s work, and who might in-turn communicate this to others, via promotional and, in particular, fundraising events.

Cerebra is a national charity supporting children with neurological conditions and their families. To find out more about the work that Cerebra does, please visit www.cerebra.org.uk.

October 28 / Uncategorized

Celebrating 50 years of Excellence at Durham University Business School

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Celebrating 50 years of Excellence in 2015, Tanabi CEO and Founder Euros Jones-Evans co-teaches entrepreneurship with Dr Mathew Hughes.

Through lectures, courses taught in partnership with faculty, and a variety of other forums, Durham’s guest lecture and visiting speakers series provides invaluable real-world insight into critical entrepreneurial management issues.

On Tuesday 27th October 2015, an informative and interesting co-lecture on entrepreneurship was conducted by Durham University Business School’s (DUBS) Dr Mathew Hughes and Tanabi CEO and DUBS Entrepreneurial Fellow, Euros Jones-Evans, who followed the talk with a hands-on live business challenge workshop as part of the ‘The Entrepreneur’s Environment’ module of the School’s Masters in Management postgraduate degree programme.

Whilst Durham students benefit a great deal from hearing from leading business figures, the speakers themselves also benefit from the experience – speakers have the opportunity to hear the thoughts, reactions and ideas from an international group of highly motivated and talented individuals. This can lead to new initiatives being taken or a re-think of existing practices by the company.

“These talks can not only open your eyes to what’s going on across various sectors, but serve to ultimately support your professional development and help you build your network of contacts,” explained Jones-Evans.

“The Entrepreneurial Fellows are members of the School’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and are important to the work that we do in teaching the next generation of entrepreneurs and informing our research. The students thoroughly enjoyed the session with Mr Jones-Evans, gaining insight into what it’s like to create, run and grow a successful international business,” said Dr Hughes.

August 7 / Uncategorized

SAMIRA MOHAMED ALI: BRINGING BOLLYWOOD AND HOLLYWOOD PROJECTS TO WALES

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Actress and business woman Samira Mohamed Ali has just seen her latest TV series aired in America, and is hard at work selling Wales to the world’s film industry. MARK REES went to meet her.

Ever since taking a leap of faith and boarding a plane to fly into the unknown world of the Bollywood film industry, actress Samira Mohamed Ali has carved out a successful, jet-setting career for herself on the silver screen.

But for all her achievements, in such far-flung countries as India and America, the Neath-based lady of many hats has never lost her love for her hometown, and is working hard to develop the film industry in her own backyard.

When I catch up with Samira, who was raised in Dubai before relocating to Neath in her early teens, she has just had seen her latest show, two-part historical epic Egyptian Vice, broadcast across the United States on digital channel Spike TV.

But as she tells me, even this major production was firmly rooted in Wales.

“It was amazing,” she says of the drama documentary, which delves into the vice-filled lifestyles of the wealthiest rulers in ancient Egypt, and serves as a precursor to Sir Ben Kingsley’s new mini-series Tut which premieres on Channel 5 tonight.

“We filmed it in Wales, and the majority of them came from the US,” she says of the show, noting the blend of Welsh and American talent involved in the production

“It’s a documentary intended to educate the audience about Egypt leading up to Tut, which looks amazing.

“It has a dramatic feel to it. Very bloody, very gory, and very similar to Game of Thrones – but Egyptian.”

Now an in-demand actress, it wasn’t a career path that Samira initially set out to pursue. In fact, it was through entering ­— and winning — beauty pageants that led to an unexpected, and life changing, proposition from the booming Indian film industry.

“It happened overnight,” she recalls of her swift introduction to Bollywood.

“The brother of a friend of the family was a film director in India, and I’d been speaking to him for six months, but I didn’t really think anything was going to come of it.

“Then one Friday, I was asked to be in India for a role on Sunday. I thought, what, a week Sunday? But no – two days later!” she laughs.

It was a big call, heading out to an unfamiliar country on her own, but she plucked up the courage, picked up the airline ticket and flew out into the unknown.

“I just got on a plane and went,” she says of decision to accept what she believed to be the relatively minor role of a Bollywood beauty queen – but then things took an even bigger turn on arrival.

“I’d won some beauty pageants back home – Miss Europe, and Miss American Dream – and I was going there for a similar part,” she explains.

“But when I arrived, I ended up with a leading role in a franchise, and it changed my life. I’m so grateful.”

Since tasting success in India, Samira has juggled her acting with her dual roles as a business owner and producer of her own production company Tanabi, who are based in Swansea’s Dylan Thomas Centre, with a second office based in the equally glamorous city of… Miami.

“I’m in Swansea at the moment, and my partner is in Miami,” she explains of the company’s set-up, noting that she’s more than happy to be spending her time in Wales – in particular, in Neath – while her business partner soaks up the sun in The Magic City.

“It’s my home,” she says of the town.

“Even when I’m in India, I’m thinking of Neath – I love being home.”

So much so that Samira is now hoping that she can help to develop the movie industry locally by exposing India – and with the rest of the world – to the delights of South West Wales.

“We’ve been working in the business for quite a long time, and most of our commissions are from overseas. We get calls from LA, and they’re sending us scripts, which is crazy. I just think, how have you heard of us?” she jokes.

“They’re always looking for new locations, and I’m trying to convince them to come to Swansea, and how wonderful it is here,” she says of a potential team-up with Bollywood.

“We did a tour of the area with some executive producers recently, and they liked that look and feel of the place.

“They’d never normally come as far as Swansea – maybe Newport, maybe Cardiff, but not Swansea.”

But is there anything in particular about the area that they can’t get in India?

“The beaches,” she says of the area’s obvious big selling point.

“Our beaches are beautiful, especially on a good day. We took them to Oystermouth Castle, the city centre, and down to Margam Castle in Port Talbot.”

Looking to the future, Samira can see her love affair with the Indian film industry continuing side-by-side with her commitment to homegrown productions, which includes a locally sourced film later this year.

“50 percent of my job is acting ­— I do four to five films a year,” she says.

“I’ve been offered a lot of work in India, with two big Bollywood properties, which would be amazing.

“I’m also see myself getting more into production. A lot of my roles in the UK have involved a bit of producing as well, and I’m hands on with that side of things.”

All of which points to a successful future right here in Wales.

“We bought the rights to a best-selling book from Swansea author Katherine John called By Any Name, which will be out soon — definitely this year.

“We have such a lovely Welsh team, and there’s a passion and a love I have for Wales. I wouldn’t have half of that passion somewhere else.”

Read more: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Samira-Mohamed-Ali-Bringing-Bollywood-Hollywood/story-27522027-detail/story.html#ixzz3i7xw3csP
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July 21 / Uncategorized

TITAN FC 34: THE WELSH WARRIOR’S QUEST FOR VICTORY CONTINUES

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Team Johns (L to R) Sam the Pad Man, Tanabi Founder and CEO Euros Jones-Evans, Ashley Johns, Brett “The Pikey” Johns, Coach Chris Rees, and Brian Evans, after Saturday’s spectacular victory.

 

Titan FC 34 took place this past Saturday night at the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, MO. This was the first Titan FC event streamed live on UFC Fight Pass in a newly signed deal which will allow its fighters to move up to the UFC and vice versa.

Unbeaten Welsh fighter Brett “The Pikey” Johns (12-0) defeated former TUF contestant Anthony “Sharkbait” Gutierrez in what should’ve been Johns’ Bantamweight title defense, but he was stripped of the belt on Friday after he failed to make weight due to a sudden stomach bug, and the belt was only on the line for Gutierrez.

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Brett “The Pikey” Johns faces off with opponent Anthony “Sharkbait” Gutierrez in Round 1 on Saturday night in Missouri.

 

Unfortunately for Brett Johns, coming to his defense against Anthomy Gutierrez over the Bantamweight limit cost him his belt on the scale, however, the ‘People’s Champ’ kept his perfect professional record intact by implementing ground and pound to take the first round and was literally fighting on one leg by the fifth, but his heart and his ability to keep his pace up earned him the better end of a Split Decision win, as well as another title shot. The official results were 47-48, 48-47, 49-46.

Johns has no qualms about a rematch for the vacant title against Gutierrez at Titan FC 35; the young fighter is fearless in his quest for UFC glory and will stop at nothing until he achieves his feat.

Titan FC CEO Jeff Aronson said after the fight, “I jumped out of my seat. Brett Johns is just an amazing figure. He is the toughest little guy I think I have ever met.”

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Titan FC CEO Jeff Aronson during the Johns Vs. Gutierrez weigh in on Friday night. While Johns didn’t make weight and was stripped of the title, he went on to win the bout opening up another title shot rematch in September.

 

The 23-year-old Swansea native is continuing his 2015 campaign firing on all cylinders and standing in the best position of his unbeaten career. Currently, he is ranked #20 in the top 50 prospects outside of the UFC according to MMALatestNews.com. The ‘Welsh Warrior’ stamped his place on the larger MMA radar in MArch by defeating former UFC veteran Walel Watson to capture the Bantamweight title at Titan FC 33, while Gutierrez rebounded from a loss to Watson with a third round TKO of Austin Lyons in his last outing.

The two fighters will face an immediate rematch in September at Titan FC 35 for the vacant belt in what will be another epic battle for glory, allowing unbeaten Johns another chance to be crowned Bantamweight World Champion.

June 5 / Uncategorized

LAUNCH OF RESCUE 365 / LANSIAD ACHUB 365

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Cymraeg i’w ddilyn:

Today sees the official launch of ‘Rescue 365’, a community interest company that specialises in providing Health & Safety Training and Advice.

Based in Carmarthen in West Wales, Rescue 365 provides training and consultancy in many areas including health and safety, first aid, fire safety, working at height and water rescue, as well as bespoke solutions depending on the client’s needs.

As a community interest company, profits are reinvested back into MAWWFRS’s community safety initiatives, or the wider community.

In just its first few months, Rescue 365 has seen rapid growth with clients ranging from global companies such as TATA Steel and RWE in the private sector, as well as local authorities and education providers right across Wales and England.

At Rescue 365’s official launch today at the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea, MAWWFRS Chief Fire Officer, Chris Davies said: “I am thrilled to be supporting this new venture. Rescue 365 is an excellent example of how an innovative business model can service industry demand while supplementing traditional Fire and Rescue Service funding streams in these challenging economic times. This new venture will not only ensure that the valuable community safety initiatives provided by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service are secured, but also allow their expert skills in risk management to benefit a wider industry audience.”

Rob Quin, Director of Rescue 365 said: “Seeing Rescue 365 expand so rapidly over the last eight months shows that there is a great demand for experienced and highly skilled training operators within the risk management sector. I look forward to seeing how the company develops over the next 12 months with the aim of expanding further throughout the UK and beyond.”

With the support of Tanabi Group, Rescue 365 will be expanding into new sectors over the next 3 months, which will include the Creative and Renewable sectors in Wales.

You can follow the progress via @Rescue_365 on twitter, on Facebook as well as their website: www.rescue365.co.uk

Heddiw, bydd lansio swyddogol ‘Rescue 365’, cwmni buddiannau cymunedol sy’n arbenigo mewn darparu Hyfforddiant a Chyngor mewn Iechyd a Diogelwch.

Lleolir canolfan Rescue 365 yng Nghaerfyrddin, Gorllewin Cymru, ac mae’n darparu hyfforddiant ac ymgynghoriad mewn nifer o feysydd, yn cynnwys iechyd a diogelwch, cymorth cyntaf, diogelwch tân, gweithio ar uchder ac achub yn y dŵr, yn ogystal â datrysiadau pwrpasol yn ôl anghenion y cleient.

Fel cwmni buddiannau cymunedol, mae unrhyw elw’n cael ei ail-fuddsoddi’n ôl i fentrau diogelwch cymunedol Gwasanaeth Tân ac Achub Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru (MAWWFRS), neu’r gymuned yn ehangach.

Ym misoedd cyntaf ei fodolaeth, mae Rescue 365 wedi gweld cynnydd mawr yn ei gleientiaid, o gwmnïau rhyngwladol yn y sector breifat e.e. TATA Steel a RWE, yn ogystal ag awdurdodau lleol a darparwyr addysg yng Nghymru a Lloegr.

Wrth lansio’r Rescue 365 yn swyddogol heddiw yng Nghanolfan Dylan Thomas, Abertawe, dywedodd Prif Swyddog Tân MAWWFRS, Chris Davies “Rydw i’n hynod o falch o gael cefnogi’r fenter newydd hon. Dyma enghraifft wych o sut y gall model busnes arloesol wasanaethu anghenion diwydiant, ac ar yr un pryd ychwanegu at lif arian y gwasanaeth Tân ac Achub yn y cyfnod heriol hwn. Bydd y fenter newydd hon, nid yn unig yn sicrhau bod mentrau gwerthfawr a ddarperir gan Wasanaeth Tân ac Achub Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru yn ddiogel, ond hefyd yn caniatáu i’w sgiliau arbenigol mewn rheoli risg fod o fudd i fwy o gwmnïau diwydiannol.”

Meddai Rob Quin, Cyfarwyddwr Rescue 365, “Mae gweld Rescue 365 yn ehangu mor gyflym dros yr wyth mis diwethaf yn dangos bod galw mawr am weithwyr profiadol sydd wedi eu hyfforddi mewn sgiliau tra arbenigol o fewn y sector rheoli risg. Rydw i’n edrych ymlaen at gael gweld sut bydd y cwmni’n datblygu dros y 12 mis nesaf, gyda’r nod o ehangu ymhellach drwy’r DU a thu hwnt.”

Gyda chefnogaeth Grŵp Tanabi, bydd Rescue 365 yn ehangu i sectorau newydd yn ystod y tri mis nesaf e.e. sectorau Creadigol ac Adnewyddadwy yng Nghymru.

Gallwch ddilyn ein datblygiad drwy @Rescue_365 ar Twitter neu Facebook yn ogystal â’n gwefan: www.rescue365.co.uk

June 3 / Uncategorized

ACTRESS SAMIRA MOHAMED ALI TAKES BOLLYWOOD BY STORM

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Actress Samira Mohamed Ali has embarked on a journey half way across the world to promote her latest Bollywood movie bPositive where she stars as the lead heroine. Samira, currently the UK Ambassador for

BritWeek Miami, FilmInWales and UK ambassador for Children’s Charity Cerebra, is on an intense 10-day press tour in India to promote the picture.

Samira has started the tour in Bangalore with a press photo shoot with her co-stars Raj Purohit and Nibeditha. She will travel to Mumbai on Wednesday for a full week of interviews for major TV channels, magazines and media conferences. Last night’s red-carpet event at the Grand Leema Hotel saw the release of the movie trailer, followed by an exclusive fashion show. This attracted over 4,000 screaming fans outside the hotel hoping to catch a glimpse of the cast and crew.

Samira will play lead heroine Nina, and the Venkatesh Kumer film is about a love triangle, with an interesting twist that cannot be revealed until the film is released. In an interview Samira said, “I am very excited to be part of this latest Bollywood movie. It’s great to be back in India and a privilege to be working with such an amazing production team. I can’t wait for this movie to hit the big screen at the end of March.” Born to Arab-Portuguese parents, the Welsh actress feels that she can relate to many different cultures – she especially loves India, its culture and its people.

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Samira has recently starred and co-produced the British action movie ‘By Any Name’ which is based on the number one best selling novel by Welsh Author Katherine John under Tanabi Films. This is due to be released summer 2015.

Samira was the first ever Westerner to be cast as a lead role in the Southern India Film Industry in 2013 and is now touring North India to promote her latest film. The movie bPositive will be released in theatres in 5 languages across Asia and the Middle East from the end of March, and in Europe during August 2015. You can follow her journey on Facebook at SamiraMohamedAli or Twitter @SamirasFanPage.

June 3 / Uncategorized

AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR TEAMS UP WITH TANABI FILMS

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AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR KATHERINE JOHN HAS TEAMED UP WITH TANABI FILMS FOR BEST-SELLER ADAPTION

Welsh author Catrin Collier (writing as Katherine John), who has just released her 48th book title through Accent Press, has now teamed up with Swansea-based Tanabi Films to produce an action packed film adaption of her best-selling 1995 thriller, By Any Name. Tanabi Films have had the pleasure of producing “By Any Name”, which is based on the novel by Katherine John – a No.1 best seller on e-book Amazon and a bestseller in Germany, Poland, the US and UK. Recently selected as one of Amazon’s chosen authors, Katherine John is currently profiled on most online platforms across the US, South America and Europe. In an interview with Katherine today, she explains “I am very much part of the project to bring ‘By Any Name to the screen. The entire team at Tanabi are incredible, and determined to get everything right. I’ve written the script with the support of the director and the actors who are all superb professionals, and it is a huge privilege to be able to work with them”.

Welsh actress Samira Mohammed Ali will star as the joint lead in the movie as Elizabeth Santer, a psychologist, who is taken hostage by John West. Samira, currently the Ambassador for BritWeek Miami, FilmInWales and UK ambassador for Cerebra charity, is currently undergoing intensive personal training in order to keep up with the physical demands of the role. In an interview today, Samira said: “I am thrilled to be part of this movie and to co-produce this transmedia project. Being able to work in Wales and especially in Swansea and Brecon is very exciting, as most of my work to date has been abroad in Bollywood movies”.

Actor and Combat expert Cengiz Dervis plays the lead role of John West, the bloodstained stranger who has suffered amnesia, and is the centre of a manhunt across Wales. Cengiz has a huge fan base in the UK, Europe and especially in Turkey, and he is set to be an exciting cast member on this production. Speaking earlier, Cengiz said “I’ve read the novel twice and the screenplay is fantastic. I can’t wait to get into character ready for principal photography. My background will serve me well, and it will be a privilege to work with a renowned author such as Katherine John.” Also, set to feature in the movie, as the third lead is actor Dan Richardson, who’s many acting credits include British and US movies and make him an integral part of the team.

 

Tanabi’s CEO Euros Jones-Evans said today, “Swansea is becoming a hotbed for film and TV productions,and we’re looking forward to be an integral part of this media buzz. Being based at the Dylan Thomas Centre is an important part of our plan to involve the local community in this project. The majority of the cast, extras and crew have been ‘sourced’ locally. This forms part of our 5-year strategy to bring inward investments into Wales through productions, especially from India and the US. Our chosen charity is ʻOur Local Heroesʼ, and some ex-service men and amputees will also have the opportunity to star in the movie as extras. I would like to thank the following for their support – Gower College, Welsh Government, Wales Screen Commission, Swansea Council, Ffilm Cymru, South Wales Police and Swansea University.”

You can follow the adventure on Twitter @ByAnyNameMovie or @TanabiFilms and on facebook

June 3 / Business, Marketing, Uncategorized

THE RICH RULES

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Following the successful launch of The Rich Rules by social entrepreneur and star of Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire, Kevin Green, Tanabi TV have been filming in readiness for delivery of exclusive online content to clients across the world. The international speaker and Guinness World Records holder has been working with the team at Tanabi over the last 4 years and we look forward to delivering the content by the end of July!