Meet Our Esteemed Panel of Judges

Patrick Vernon is recently appointed Independent Non-Executive Director of Birmingham and Solihull ICS, leading on inequalities and Non-Executive Director for Hertfordshire NHS Trust and Associate Director for Connected Communities for the Centre for Ageing Better and Chair of Citizenship Partnership for HSIB. In 2012, Patrick was awarded an OBE for tackling health inequalities among the UK’s ethnic minority communities. In 2018, the Evening Standard selected him as one of London’s 1,000 most influential people.

Professor Shivani Sharma is Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor, Business and Social Sciences, at Aston University. A first-generation university graduate, she champions higher education’s role in social mobility. Her research focuses on health inequalities, particularly in kidney disease, securing £4 million in funding. She chairs Swindon South Asian Performing Arts Centre, is a Trustee at Kidney Care UK, and serves on Police Now’s D&I Committee. A 2023 Asian Women of Achievement finalist, she is also listed among the UK’s 50 kind leaders.

Dr Shera Chok is a GP and former Chief Medical Officer at NHS Digital. She co-founded the award-winning Shuri Network to champion diversity in digital health. An advisor to the NHS Race and Health Observatory, she has held senior roles across primary care, commissioning, and NHS England. A global health volunteer, she studied at Harvard and is a Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow at the Robert Bosch Academy. Her work focuses on equity, innovation, and transforming healthcare through digital inclusion.

Patricia Hughes is an Associate Director at the Royal College of Nursing, dedicated to advancing equality and career progression for healthcare professionals. A former Divisional Nurse Director at The Royal Marsden and Deputy Director of Nursing at NHSE/I, she has championed inclusion throughout her career. Patricia founded the UCLH BAME Network and is an active Shuri Network member, advocating for digital transformation. With an MSc in Cancer Studies, she continues to mentor and uplift future nursing leaders.

Celestine Laporte is a National Officer at UNISON, leading the Race for Equality campaign to combat racism in the NHS. She is the strategic lead for ensuring UNISON workplace representatives use the Workforce Race Equality Standard to drive change. As the national lead for Science, Therapy, and Technical staff, Celestine shapes policy for allied health professionals. A member of the NHS Staff Council’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Group, she is dedicated to advancing equity across the NHS workforce.

Tista Chakravarty-Gannon is a senior leader at the General Medical Council, where she co-leads the Outreach team and heads up the ‘Welcome to UK Practice’ programme for internationally trained doctors. With over 25 years’ experience supporting survivors of abuse, Tista continues to champion safeguarding, medical leadership and inclusion in healthcare. She is a peer reviewer for BMJ Leader and the Sushrata Journal, and a recognised voice in tackling misogyny in medicine. Tista was awarded the BAPIO President’s Award in 2022 and BIDA’s Special Award in 2024 and is currently co-authoring a textbook on anti-racism in medicine.

Tina Jegede MBE is the Joint Director of Race Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Nurse Lead for Islington Care Homes. A Queen’s Nurse, she has worked extensively in Sickle Cell Disorder, care home provision, and tackling health inequalities. With a postgraduate degree in management and an MSc in Health Education & Health Promotion from King’s College London, Tina has shaped integrated care models both locally and internationally. She is a passionate advocate for anti-racism, social justice, and equitable health outcomes for minoritised communities.

Professor Mahendra Patel OBE is an award-winning pharmacist and academic with professorial roles at multiple universities, including the University of Sussex and Universiti Sains Malaysia. A founding member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, he has served as a national board member, assembly member, and treasurer. As a national lead at the University of Oxford, he has advanced inclusive COVID-19 treatment research. A champion for EDI, he advises national pharmacy bodies and was honoured as an OBE for services to pharmacy.

Diana Belfon is an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Specialist at Northamptonshire Health and Care Partnership, bringing decades of leadership experience in business and healthcare. A workforce race equality expert, she co-chairs the Visible Leaders Network for NHS Midlands and Life-Long Learning. She is also a Director at Citizens Advice and Northamptonshire Rights Equality Council and serves on the HSJ Advisory Board. Passionate about driving EDI best practices, Diana champions inclusive healthcare for communities across Northamptonshire.

Owen Chinembiri is Assistant Director (Workforce Advisor) at the NHS Race and Health Observatory, with expertise in health informatics, digital transformation, and workforce equality. An alumnus of the NHS Graduate Scheme, he has held senior roles at Macmillan Cancer Support and the Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) team, where he led data-driven strategies for workplace equity. Originally from Zimbabwe and Botswana, Owen is passionate about using data to enhance patient care and staff experiences. Outside of work, he is a keen runner.

Dr. Farah Jameel is a GP in Camden, Non-Executive Director at Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust, and Trustee of the Medical Women’s Federation. She made history as the first female Chair of the General Practitioners Committee in England. With 15+ years of experience, she has worked across UAE, India, and the UK, shaping health policy, strategy, and digital transformation. A multi-award-winning leader, Farah balances her career with motherhood and a passion for gardening.

Francis Fernando is the Founding Director of the Filipino Nurses Association UK (FNA-UK) and Associate Director of Nursing and Quality at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. A multi-award-winning leader, he has over 30 years of nursing experience, holding senior NHS roles, including Nurse Consultant and Head of Nursing. Passionate about advancing Filipino nurses in the NHS, Francis has led national mentoring programmes, championed workforce equality, and influenced policy. His advocacy during COVID-19 highlighted Filipino nurses' contributions and challenges, earning him national recognition.

Anthony Robinson is Assistant Director of Casework Presentation and Preparation at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). A dual-qualified solicitor and barrister with over 35 years of legal experience, Anthony previously served as Legal & Enforcement Director at the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) and played a pivotal role in shaping UK and European equality legislation. A published author and legal expert, he has contributed to landmark human rights and equality cases, influencing policy and practice across the UK and EU

Russell Jones is Assistant Director for Children & Adults Joint Commissioning at London Borough of Southwark & South East London ICB. Over a decade in local government, he has held frontline, operational, and strategic leadership roles, focusing on commissioning, partnership development, and system-wide improvements. Passionate about tackling inequalities and promoting inclusion, Russell works to develop public services that improve lives and life chances. His expertise spans health, social care, and local government, ensuring a collaborative approach to addressing disparities and enhancing community wellbeing.

Professor Calvin Moorley is a Professor for Diversity & Social Justice in the Adult Nursing Department at London South Bank University. A registered nurse with expertise in intensive care therapy, his research explores the intersections of gender, culture, ethnicity, and health. A Mary Seacole Award winner for Leadership in Nursing, Calvin collaborates internationally and has published extensively on topics including healthcare worker susceptibility to COVID-19, Black African sexual health, stroke experiences in Caribbean populations, and FGM survivor psychosexual health.