The 75 most influential Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in health: Rising stars

Tanvir Alam, chair, Asian Professionals National Alliance NHS

Dr Alam chairs this group of NHS and local authority staff of South Asian heritage, which aims to address inequalities, combat racism, and champion health equity.

In addition, he has served as Suffolk and North East Essex ICB’s deputy medical director and is a non-executive director at the Norfolk and Waveney Hospitals group, as well as being a GP principal in Clacton.

Sanjoy Bhattacharyya, associate dean (medicine), University of Greater Manchester

Professor Bhattacharyya, an emergency medicine consultant at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, has been instrumental in developing Bolton School of Medicine’s assessment strategy, working closely with Leicester Medical School and the GMC.

He also serves on GMC panels and is involved in overseeing its PLAB OSCE exam, contributing to discussions on statistical analysis, standard-setting, and role-player issues, as well as training new examiners.

Owen Chinembiri, assistant director, NHS Race and Health Observatory

Mr Chinembiri has been an assistant director at NHS RHO since February 2025, after working at Macmillan Cancer Support and NHS England. He is passionate about using data to provide world-class healthcare to all and to highlight inequalities.

He joined the NHS graduate management scheme, where he specialised in health informatics, and holds postgraduate qualifications in health informatics.

Ananta Dave, regional medical director (commissioning), NHS England Midlands

Dr Dave moved to NHSE’s regional office after a spell as Black Country ICB’s chief medical officer. Her current work focuses on mental health, learning disabilities, and autism. She has said that “doing something” about racism is core to her mission as a clinician.

She is a former British Indian Psychiatric Association president and was Lincolnshire Partnership FT’s medical director.

Chris Dzikiti, director of professional practice, Nursing and Midwifery Council

Mr Dzikiti, a registered nurse for 25 years, joined the NMC this year after working at the Care Quality Commission since 2022, where he had been interim chief inspector of mental health, director of operations, interim chief inspector of healthcare, and director of mental health.

He has also worked as a healthcare consultant for Health Education England in India and has led on a retention programme for mental health professionals at NHSE.

Louie Horne, national officer for nursing, Unison

Ms Horne joined Unison last year from East Suffolk and North Essex FT, where she was senior strategic improvement lead. She has also been an adviser to RCNi, a learning platform for nursing staff.

She has contributed to national workforce equality initiatives and worked to improve international recruitment, as well as chairing the Filipino Senior Nurses Alliance and being vice-president of the Filipino Nurses Association UK.

Manisha Kumar, chief clinical officer, Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board

Dr Kumar led the covid vaccination programme and primary care response to the pandemic across the city of Manchester, with a focus on reducing inequalities and finding partnership solutions to care delivery. She has also played a key role in developing integrated care in the city and has promoted inclusion and improved population health.

She graduated from Manchester University, is now an inner-city GP and is also a GP trainer.

Veline L’Esperance, clinical adviser, NHS Race and Health Observatory

Dr L’Esperance is qualified both as a GP and as a health economist, with experience of applying econometric modelling within primary care. Her work has focused on how health equity, genomics, and resource allocation interact.

She is a senior clinical lecturer at Queen Mary, University of London, and until recently was a NICE technology appraisal committee member, and has been research director at Operose Health.

Sai Pillarisetti, general secretary, British International Doctors Association

Dr Pillarisetti founded the British International Doctors Association’s student wing to support international students studying in the UK and offer mentorship, advocacy, and leadership initiatives.

He is a senior adviser to the Institute of Medicine at the University of Greater Manchester and has helped to produce and implement the GMC’s early resolution workshops, which are designed to help handle concerns locally before they become formal complaints.

Marcus Riddell, chief people officer, Royal Papworth Hospital Foundation Trust

Mr Riddell took up his role earlier this year, joining from Hertfordshire Community Trust where he had been chief people officer since 2024. He is an NHS staff council member and has worked for both NHSE and the Department of Health and Social Care, where he was head of temporary staffing with a remit to reduce agency expenditure.

He has also led on ensuring equality and inclusion in the covid vaccination programme, with a focus on providing staff with accurate information around vaccination to enable them to make informed decisions.