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Board member recognised in King's New Year Honours
We are delighted to congratulate our Non-Executive Director, Rukshana Kapasi, who has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s New Year Honours list in recognition of her outstanding services to transforming care, advancing health equity and championing the patient voice.
As a member of our trust board, Rukshana is responsible for helping to set the strategic direction of the trust, ensure sustainable business viability, and hold the executive directors to account. Rukshana, who was appointed a NED in 2021, is also Barnardo’s first Director of Health, where she has led its transformation into a health and social care provider and through a partnership with Sir Michael Marmot’s Institute of Health Equity and three integrated care systems, shaped its long-term capability to tackle child health inequity
In 2019, as Chair of IBDUK – a partnership of 17 Royal Colleges and patient organisations – Rukshana led the introduction of the UK’s first digital standards for inflammatory bowel disease services, supporting more consistent, high-quality care across the country.
In addition, Rukshana is an Advisory Commissioner to the Health Devolution Commission and co-chairs the Child Health Equity Collaborative, further demonstrating her national leadership in addressing the wider determinants of health and improving outcomes for children, young people and families.
Trust Chief Executive, Elliot Howard-Jones said: “We are immensely proud to have Rukshana as part of our board, where we have been benefitted immensely from the experience and insight gained through her 30 years working across the NHS and charitable sector as a commissioner, clinician, and senior leader.
“Throughout her career, Rukshana has been a powerful advocate for change, leading work that has helped reshape how services listen to, involve and respond to patients.
“This honour is a fitting recognition of her lifelong commitment to equity, compassion and ensuring that patient and community voices are at the heart of health and care transformation.”
