Navjot Sawhney

Born and raised in London to parents from unpartitioned India, Navjot Sawhney's journey is deeply rooted in resilience and a desire to make a difference. His family's experience during the 1947 Indian Independence, when his father fled present-day Pakistan with just the clothes on his back, instilled in Nav a profound sense of empathy and a drive to support those in need.

With a background in Aerospace Engineering from Queen Mary University, London, and professional experience at Dyson, Nav's path took a pivotal turn when he joined Engineers Without Borders UK in South India. It was here that he encountered Divya, a neighbour whose struggle with hand washing clothes for up to 20 hours a week inspired Nav to promise her a washing machine. This promise led to the creation of the first prototype and the foundation of The Washing Machine Project in 2019.

Nav pursued a master's degree in Humanitarianism, Conflict, and Development at the University of Bath, further cementing his commitment to global development. The Washing Machine Project has since conducted extensive research across 13 countries, interviewing over 3,000 families to understand their washing habits and needs.

The innovative Divya washing machines have reached almost 30,000 people in India, Iraq, Lebanon, the United States, Mexico, and Uganda. The project's tailored implementation ensures effectiveness in diverse cultural, economic, and environmental contexts. Partnerships with organizations like RS Group, JLR, Santander, and humanitarian giants like UNHCR and Oxfam, have propelled the project towards scaling up globally with support from Whirlpool Foundation.

In March 2024, Nav returned to South India with Whirlpool Foundation to deliver washing machines to Divya and her neighbours, fulfilling his promise. Recognized with numerous awards, including the 2023 George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award, The Washing Machine Project continues to innovate sustainable solutions for remote and displaced communities, alleviating the burden of handwashing clothes, one wash at a time.