Judge No. 1 – Mel Thomas QPM
Mel Thomas QPM
Mel Thomas QPM retired in 2021 as a Sgt and Acting Inspector with Leicestershire Police after a distinguished 30 years career.
During that time he worked on major events such as the Commonwealth Games, 2012 Olympics and the football Premier Championship winning season of Leicester City, which resulted in the Champions League coming to Leicester.
Following his retirement he was awarded a Queens Police Medal in the late HRH The Queens final birthdays honours list for his services to the community, the organisation and for raising nearly £450,000.00 for a number of charities.
Mel is an avid supporter for groups and individuals involved in reducing violence and abuse against women and girls having supported a number of individuals and groups in the sector.
He is an ambassador of the BBC Make A Difference community awards and is in waiting to be the first black High Sheriff of Leicestershire in 2026.
You’ll see Mel the BBC ground hunter on the TV Series Hunted and Celebrity Hunted on Channel 4 More 4 He is an ambassador of the BBC Make A Difference community awards and is in waiting to be the first black High Sheriff of Leicestershire in 2026.
You’ll see Mel the BBC ground hunter on the TV Series Hunted and Celebrity Hunted on Channel 4 More 4
Judge No. 2 – Carina Tyrell
Dr Carina Tyrrell
Dr Carina Tyrrell is a former Miss England and Miss UK. She is a Cambridge University physician scientist, and was featured on the front page of the Times for developing the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID vaccine. Carina invests as a venture capitalist, including to the President of Samsung. She advises and sits on the boards of health and technology companies, is a Fellow at Cambridge University, and sits on the board of an NHS hospital Trust.
Judge No. 3 – David Dresser
David Dresser
Renowned international fashion photographer David Dresser joins the Miss England 2025 judging panel, bringing with him a wealth of creative expertise and a lifelong passion for visual storytelling.
David’s journey began in Los Angeles, where he launched his professional career photographing for the music industry. Upon returning to the UK, he quickly established himself as a leading fashion photographer, creating striking portfolios for models and working with some of the biggest names in fashion and retail — including All Saints, Sonetti, Skopes, Pomodoro, Matalan, Giant, and Kimko.
His impressive portfolio has graced the pages of top publications such as GQ, Eve, Fashion Weekly, Women’s Own, Elle, Marie Claire, and Arena, cementing his reputation as a master of style, composition, and storytelling through the lens.
David’s experience extends far beyond photography itself. Known for his creative direction, he oversees entire campaigns from concept to completion — from scouting locations and organising travel, to coordinating models, hair, makeup, and design teams. His global career has taken him to Miami, LA, New York, Boston, Phoenix, Israel, Egypt, Spain, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Austria, producing everything from intimate studio shoots to large-scale international campaigns.
With his eye for detail and passion for authenticity, David brings invaluable insight to the Miss England judging panel — celebrating beauty, confidence, and creativity in every form.
Judge No. 4 – Afrose Ameen
Afrose Ameen
Afrose Ameen is a renewable energy engineer, artist, and Miss England finalist, who placed in the top twelve after earning the title of Miss Bare Face last year.
She later went on to reach the top five of Miss Sri Lanka, representing her dual heritage.
Deeply committed to increasing female representation in STEM and challenging stereotypes, Afrose strives to inspire confidence through both intellect and individuality. A lover of makeup as a powerful form of self-expression, she equally values the authenticity celebrated in the Makeup Free Round, believing it highlights beauty in its truest form. Beyond her professional achievements, Afrose channels her creativity through spoken word poetry and painting, using both art and science as mediums for change.
Judge No. 5 – Andrew Minarik
Andrew Minarik
For more than over a decade Andrew Minarik Has been Head of Hair Make-Up and Wardrobe for Miss World, heading the styling team for contestants around the world
Andrew’s flair for hairdressing and eye for artistry have long been part of his family heritage — his mother Patricia founded the family salon 48 years ago which now continues as
Minarik Hair Mkup Total Image in Kibworth Harcourt Leicestershire since
His pageant journey began in 1993, when he first met Angie Beasley, becoming the official hair partner for her regional Miss England contests. The collaboration soon grew, leading to national partnerships and ultimately international work with the Miss World organisation, where Andrew became a trusted creative force behind the global event’s signature looks.
Over the years, Andrew has worked with leading industry brands Internationally such as Clynol and Sexy Hair, Indola , QVC ETC ETC serving as a spokesperson and educator at major international conventions and exhibitions. Known for his professionalism, artistry, and warm personality, Andrew continues to inspire new generations of stylists while maintaining his roots in Leicestershire.
Judge No. 6 – Mila Walenda
Mila Walenda
Mila Walenda is a creative director and media entrepreneur with a visionary outlook. Mila studied at Fashion University New York and graduated from Veronika Lemle’s exclusive “FashionProducer” course in 2022. In 2021, she also successfully completed the “International Photo Model” program. Her photographs have been published in renowned magazines such as Gmaro and Mvibe, even landing her on a magazine cover. As the head of Eight Partners Ltd, Mila specialises in high-quality television productions, digital content, and international broadcasting projects. Passionate about storytelling and innovation, she develops projects that merge fashion, culture, and entertainment. Mila is also the driving force behind Mila & Sal, a growing media brand, and is actively exploring new television opportunities for a global audience. Her dedication to inclusivity and creativity makes her a sought-after voice in media and fashion.
Judge No. 7 – Georgia Meacham
Georgia Meacham
Georgia Meacham is a Model, Actor and Deaf Advocate whose inspiring journey perfectly reflects the values of empowerment and authenticity at the heart of Miss England. With over a decade commanding runways from London to Paris Fashion Weeks, Georgia has collaborated with some of the world’s most renowned brands, including L’Oréal, Stella McCartney, H&M, ASOS, and most recently collaborating with Apple. Acting is Georgia’s true passion, already appearing on the big-screen with credits including Wonder Woman. Born deaf and a proud hearing aid user, Georgia has become a powerful voice for inclusivity and accessibility. As an Ambassador for RNID, the UK’s largest Deaf charity, she continues to break barriers and inspire others to embrace their differences with pride. A passionate vegan and animal welfare supporter, Georgia promotes compassionate living, firmly believing in “being kind to all kinds.” A frequent Parliament attendee and speaking on women’s health, she is dedicated to driving important conversations. Her presence on the Miss England panel brings a fresh perspective, celebrating women who lead with kindness and purpose.
Judge No.8 – PC Rani Gundhu QPM who started work with West Midlands Police MP in the 1980s
PC Rani Gandhu
Having served for nearly 40 years, Rani’s dedication to the force was recently recognised with a lifetime achievement award for her incredible work in driving diversity and supporting communities.
Rani has extensive experience working in numerous roles and departments including vice, serious complex crime, major public events, CID, domestic violence, PR, Recruitment, Learning and Development, major incident rooms, Response and Neighbourhood, amongst others. She continues to move with the times and is now a positive action co-ordinator, supporting others on their policing journey and will be offering special mentoring programs to Miss England finalists in the future.
Virtual Judge – ARIEL LAVI -FILM PRODUCER
Ariel Lavi is an International Film Producer and Screenwriter .He produced films in the US, Mexico, Nigeria, Italy, and Canada . His films won 131 awards at film festivals all over the world . He was a judge at Sunset Film Festival and Hollywood Screenings Film Festival in 2023 . He is the owner of the film production company Lavi Company in Miami,FL .He is a writer in Swagger Magazine . He was featured on the most famous magazines all over the world- Sky , L’Officiel, Billboard, Flaunt , Daily Front Row . He is followed by top celebrities on Instagram from Hollywood , Europe, and Dubai.
Ariel Lavi -Film Producer
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