The Awards
The 2025 Shortlist is Revealed!

About the Awards
The Awards spotlight the achievements of B.A.M.E staff and allies who break barriers, champion equity, and transform lives. From leadership and innovation to community impact, we celebrate those making healthcare more inclusive, equitable, and inspiring for all.
Students(NHS & Healthcare) | Healthcare Workers(NHS & Social Care) | Corporate & Private Sector | |
---|---|---|---|
Summit Only | £40 | £60 | £150 |
Awards Only | £130 | £180 | £250 |
Summit + Awards | £150 | £200 | £300 |
The 2025 Shortlist
Advocacy and Patient Experience Champion Award
This award celebrates individuals or teams—whether healthcare professionals, patient advocates, or community leaders—who have championed the voices of B.A.M.E patients.
It recognises those whose advocacy has led to measurable improvements in patient care, access, or outcomes. Nominees may include frontline staff enhancing patient experiences, organisations driving systemic change, or individuals influencing policy to create more equitable healthcare environments.
Aurora Todisco | Local Voice in the Community |
Clare Lawson | Primary Care 24 |
Dian Bates | North Middlesex Hospital Maternity |
Dr. Caoilin Maclaverty | Barking Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust |
Gabriel Abotsie | Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust |
Lynette Mupopoma | West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust |
Sadia Nasir | Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts |
Ally of the Year
This award recognises individuals who may not be part of the B.A.M.E community but actively advocate for equity, inclusion, and justice within healthcare. It celebrates allies—whether leaders, colleagues, managers, or advocates—who have used their influence to challenge systemic barriers, support marginalised voices, and create measurable change. Nominees may include senior leaders driving inclusive policies, managers fostering diverse teams, or individuals championing B.A.M.E colleagues and patients through advocacy and action.
Bonnie Teague | Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust |
Christine Hale | Whittington Health |
Claire Cutting | West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust |
Giselle Padmore-Payne | Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust |
James Freed | NHS England |
Joan Pons Laplana | NHS England |
Matthew Trainer | Barking Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust |
Naomi Mcvey | NHS England |
B.A.M.E Midwife of the Year
This award recognises midwives from B.A.M.E backgrounds who demonstrate exceptional leadership, compassion, and advocacy in maternity care. It celebrates those who not only provide outstanding clinical care but also champion equity, cultural sensitivity, and inclusion within their practice. Nominees may include midwives working in hospitals, community settings, or education who have improved maternal outcomes, supported B.A.M.E families, and contributed to reducing health disparities in maternity services.
Dalvir Kandola | University Hospital of Leicester NHS Trust |
June Thomas | Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust |
Sherilyn Ndhlovu | The Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust |
Waheeda Abbas | North West Genomics Medicine Service Alliance @ Manchester Foundation Trust |
B.A.M.E Nurse of the Year
This award recognises nurses from B.A.M.E backgrounds who demonstrate outstanding clinical excellence, leadership, and advocacy in healthcare. It celebrates those who go beyond patient care to influence positive change within their teams, organisations, and communities. Nominees may include nurses working in clinical, community, or leadership roles who have improved patient outcomes, championed inclusive practices, and inspired others through mentorship, innovation, or advocacy for health equity.
Agnes Phakati | Bedford Hospital |
Guruprasad Kholgade | Barking Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust |
Hannah Rahmani | Primary Care 24 |
Joan Pons Laplana | NHS England |
Joanne La Verne Sanchez | Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
Rohit Sagoo | London Northwest NHS Trust / British Sikh Nurses |
Sihle Malapela | Newham Transitional Practice – East London Foundation Trust |
Susie Lagrata | University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
Vedantee Shiebert | Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust |
Clinical AHP Champion of the Year
This award recognises Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) from B.A.M.E backgrounds who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing equitable care. It celebrates those who have made significant contributions to improving patient outcomes, reducing health disparities, and championing inclusion within their practice. Nominees may include AHPs such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers, paramedics, speech and language therapists, and others who have demonstrated clinical excellence, service improvement, or advocacy for health equity.
Emmanouela Kladouchou | Central & North West London NHS Foundation Trust |
Helen Mcalinney | South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board |
Maulik Darji | Northampton General Hospital |
Clinician of the Year
This award honours clinicians from B.A.M.E backgrounds whose dedication to care is felt far beyond the walls of their clinics or hospitals. These are the individuals who don’t just treat conditions—they see the whole person, standing as advocates when voices go unheard and as leaders when change feels out of reach. Whether at a patient’s bedside, in a boardroom, or within their communities, they fight for fairness, dignity, and respect in healthcare. Nominees may include doctors, dentists, pharmacists, or other healthcare professionals who have not only saved lives but transformed them through compassion, courage, and a relentless commitment to equity.
Chineze Otigba | Barking, Havering and Havering NHS Trust |
Dr Azhar Chaudhry | NHS – Thistlemoor Medical Centre |
Helen Gbinigie | Medway Foundation NHS trust/ Kent and Medway LMNS |
Joan Pons Laplana | NHS England |
Joanne La Verne Sanchez | Cambridge University Hospitals NHSFT |
Michael Beckles | Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust |
Rajat Gupta | Birmingham Children’s Hospital |
Saswata Banerjee | Barking Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust |
Educator or Workforce Developer of the Year
This award honours the educators and workforce developers who don’t just teach—they inspire. These are the mentors, leaders, and changemakers who believe that talent is everywhere, but opportunity must be created. Through bold, innovative approaches and a deep commitment to equity, they open doors that might have remained closed for B.A.M.E students and staff. Whether they’re in classrooms, boardrooms, or training programmes, their work lights a path for others to follow, nurturing potential, breaking down barriers, and ensuring the next generation of healthcare leaders feels seen, supported, and unstoppable.
Chido Muchaneta | Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust |
Dionne Korsah | NHS England |
John Skelton | The Royal Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust |
Marjani Orchery | SMILEquity |
Rumbidzayi Chakahwata | East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust |
Wilfredo Vitao Jr. | George Eliot Hospital |
Emergency & Critical Care Innovation
.This award honours the innovators who thrive where urgency meets impact—those who step into the most critical moments with solutions that save lives and change systems. It celebrates individuals or teams who have transformed emergency and critical care to ensure B.A.M.E patients receive not just timely interventions but equitable, compassionate support when it matters most. Whether through groundbreaking protocols, life-saving technologies, or system-wide improvements, their work delivers more than care; it brings hope, dignity, and fairness in moments where every second counts.
Criteria:
All three bullet points must be answered to the minimum stated word count.
Nominations must provide evidence of:
- Proven implementation of innovative practices improving access or outcomes.
- Evidence of measurable benefits for B.A.M.E patients in emergency or critical care.
- Sustained impact and dissemination of innovations across healthcare services.
Excellence in Community Partnership Award
his award celebrates the heart of community-driven change—organisations and volunteers who stand at the crossroads of healthcare and lived experience. It honours those who build bridges where gaps once existed, creating partnerships that bring healthcare closer to the people who need it most. Whether through grassroots advocacy, health education, or outreach programmes, these changemakers work hand-in-hand with B.A.M.E communities to improve access, raise awareness, and deliver life-changing support. Their efforts are more than collaborations; they are lifelines woven into the fabric of the communities they serve.
Bernadette Charehwa | Woodleigh Community Lifeline/Woodleigh Healthcare ltd |
Cultural Inclusion Network Cin | Cultural Inclusion Network |
Doncaster Anti-Racism Partnership | Doncaster Anti-racism Partnership |
Dr Nike Arowobusoye And Sola Afuape Mbe | Birmingham City Council |
Gabriella Van Beek | Healthwatch West Northamptonshire (formerly Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire) |
Hong Zhou | Mile Rainbow C.I.C (MR.CIC) |
Tony Kelly | NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System |
Vicky Hines | One Walsall |
Future Leader Award – Next Gen (18-30)
This award celebrates the next generation of healthcare leaders—young changemakers aged 18–30 whose passion, courage, and fresh perspectives are already making waves. It recognises individuals who have been identified as rising stars at the start of their careers and show extraordinary potential to influence the future of healthcare. Whether through advocacy, innovation, leadership, or community impact, these trailblazers are challenging the status quo, championing equity, and proving that age is no barrier to making a difference. Their journey may be just beginning, but their impact is already being felt.
Agilandiswari Arumuga Jothi | Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust |
Alister D’Souza | Central and North West NHS Foundation Trust |
Comfort Ogunbanjo | Christies Hospital |
Haris Sultan | Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust |
Ifeoma Ndukwe | The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust |
Nkiruka Nduka | The Royal Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust |
Kanwal Munir | London Ambulance Service NHS Trust |
Rumbidzai Gore | Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust |
Health Equity Digital Innovator of the Year
This award celebrates the visionaries who see technology not just as a tool, but as a lifeline for those too often left behind. It honours individuals or teams who have harnessed the power of digital innovation to break down barriers in healthcare, making access, support, and outcomes fairer for B.A.M.E communities.
Whether through groundbreaking apps, data-driven solutions, or transformative digital health platforms, these pioneers have turned complex challenges into simple, life-changing solutions. Their work doesn’t just improve systems—it changes lives, one connection at a time.
Maryann Ferreux | Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex |
Oana Ciurdarean | Integrated Care Board Northamptonshire |
Inclusive Leader of the Year
HThis award honours leaders who don’t just talk about inclusion—they live it, breathe it, and build it into the very fabric of their organisations. These are the visionaries who challenge the status quo, dismantle systemic barriers, and create environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Whether they lead teams, departments, or entire organisations, their actions speak louder than words—turning diversity into strength and equity into measurable change. Their leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about impact, courage, and a relentless commitment to creating cultures of belonging that last.
Alister D’Souza | Central and North West NHS Foundation Trust |
Amanda Hussain | UHB NHS Foundation Trust |
Asma Nafees | AGEM CSU / DCHS FT |
Benard Mensah | North London NHS Foundation Trust |
Christy Abraham | Yeovil District Hospital |
Dionne Korsah | NHS England |
Epiphania Muranda | Manchester University Foundation Trust |
Evonne Hunt | Medway Maritime Hospital |
Harprit Hockley | Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust |
Mayflor Bernal | South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust |
Pauline Okhamesan | Barking, Havering, and Redbridge University Hospital NHS Trust |
Paul Rees MBE | NMC (Nursing & Midwifery Council |
Sola Makinde | Whittington Health |
Ustadah Maysoon Shafiq | Rotherham Foundation Trust |
Inclusive Organisation/ Trust of the Year
This award celebrates organisations and trusts that don’t just commit to inclusion on paper—they live it in every policy, practice, and decision. These are the workplaces where diversity isn’t a buzzword but a driving force for innovation, equity, and better health outcomes. Whether through groundbreaking strategies, transformative leadership, or bold cultural shifts, these organisations create environments where B.A.M.E staff and patients don’t just feel represented—they thrive. Their work sets the benchmark for what true, sustainable inclusion looks like in healthcare.
Hong Zhou | Mile Rainbow C.I.C (MR.CIC) |
Nitesh Somani | Kara Healthcare |
Public Health Birmingham | Birmingham City Council |
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award honours individuals whose lifelong dedication to equity has left a profound and lasting impact on health and social care. These are the pioneers, advocates, and leaders whose work has broken barriers, challenged injustices, and created pathways where none existed. Their influence can be seen not just in policies and programmes but in the lives they’ve touched, the voices they’ve amplified, and the systems they’ve transformed. This award is more than a recognition of years served—it’s a celebration of a legacy built on courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to justice for B.A.M.E communities.
Amanda Hussain | UHB NHS Foundation Trust |
Christopher Innerarity | Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust |
JS Bamrah | University of Greater Manchester |
Yvonne Coghill | Excellence in Action |
Outstanding Social & Community Care Award
This award celebrates the unsung heroes of social and community care—those whose dedication transforms lives, one act of compassion at a time. It honours individuals or teams who work tirelessly to ensure B.A.M.E communities have not just access to care but access to care that is equitable, culturally sensitive, and life-affirming. Whether supporting families through social services, leading community health initiatives, or advocating for vulnerable groups, these champions create networks of support that help people feel seen, valued, and empowered. Their work doesn’t just change lives; it strengthens entire communities.
Andrea Cortés; Daniela Valdés; Vanessa Pérez; Alex Hernández | Latin Americans for Health and Care UK Network |
Asma Nafees | AGEM CSU / DCHS FT |
Bernadette Charehwa | Woodleigh community lifeline/Woodleigh healthcare ltd |
Daniela Valdes | Latin Americans in Health and Care UK Network |
Danyal Mohammed | Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust |
Epiphania Muranda | Inspirational Women to Action CIC and NHS |
Latin Americans In Health And Care UK Network | Latin Americans in Health and Care UK Network |
Pioneering Health Equity Researcher of the Year
This award honours researchers who refuse to accept health inequities as inevitable. It celebrates those who ask difficult questions, challenge outdated systems, and uncover truths that drive real change for B.A.M.E communities. Whether through groundbreaking clinical studies, community-led research, or transformative data analysis, these innovators turn evidence into action. Their work doesn’t just sit in reports—it reshapes policies, improves care, and builds healthier, more equitable futures for generations to come.
Amanda Bennett | University Hospitals Liverpool Group |
Hellena Habte-Asres | Royal Free Hospital |
Public Health Impact Award
This award recognises individuals, teams, or organisations leading impactful public health initiatives that address health inequalities and improve outcomes for B.A.M.E communities. Whether through policy change, preventative healthcare, education campaigns, or community-led interventions, these changemakers use innovation and advocacy to drive real, measurable improvements in health access and equity.
Alister D’Souza | Central and North West NHS Foundation Trust |
Azhar Chaudhry | NHS- Thistlemoor Medical Centre |
Berin Krenek | Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust |
Hong Zhou | Mile Rainbow C.I.C (MR.CIC) |
Sam Rodger | Race and Health Observatory |
Talha Sami | Patient Compass |
Zoyah Hussain | Holycroft surgery |
Trailblazer in Inclusion Excellence - Sponsored by UNISON
This award honours individuals who may not hold formal leadership titles but lead with courage, conviction, and a relentless drive to make inclusion a reality. These trailblazers challenge the status quo from within, sparking change through grassroots initiatives, bold ideas, and everyday actions that ripple across their organisations. Their work redefines what it means to be an agent of change—proving that you don’t need a title to inspire others, break down barriers, and create workplaces where equity isn’t just an aspiration but a lived experience.
Asma Nafees | NHS AGEM CSU / Derbyshire Community Health Services FT |
Christiana Fadipe | North Central London Integrated Care Board |
Ebelechukwuka Ijomoni | Barking Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust |
Goran Zangana | NHS LOTHIAN |
Goran Zangana | NHS Lothian |
Heena Mahmood | Minority ethnic voices in healthcare professions |
Joan Pons Laplana | NHS England |
Joanne La Verne Sanchez | Cambridge University Hospitals |
Mike Buckle | NHS England |
Rukaiya Bhanji | Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust |
Tinu Fakoya | Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust |