BME Leadership Network

Strengthening the voice of black and minority ethnic leaders.

The BME Leadership Network exists to strengthen the voice of NHS black and minority ethnic (BME) leaders and to support NHS organisations to meet the needs of all communities.

Watch our short video to learn more about its purpose and how it's supporting members.

We meet quarterly and we aim to:

improve understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion and publish the benefits to help deliver better care for all
improve and sustain the number of BME leaders working in the NHS
profile the diverse range of BME leaders delivering solutions across the health and care system.

By joining the network you will receive our bi-monthly bulletins on the latest developments in equality, diversity and inclusion, invitations to events and virtual member meetings, opportunities to learn, develop and build connections.

Who can join?

The network is open to all NHS leaders from BME backgrounds. We recognise that there are great NHS BME leaders operating in many roles and levels, not just as senior managers, and our network seeks to support them all.

We also welcome allies to join and support the network.

If you're interested in joining or supporting the network, head to our membership page and complete our form.
For further information email our team: BLN@nhsconfed.org.
Stay up to date with our news and join the conversation on Twitter @NHSC_BMELeaders.

Featured

A photograph of a surgeon with the text "Saluting our sisters, Black History Month".

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Supporting Black History Month 2023

October is Black History Month. Find out about our events and what your organisation can do to improve equality.

28 September 2023

Article

BME Leadership Network of Network Leaders

A place for chairs and leads of BME/BAME networks to come together, hosted by the BME Leadership Network.

2 November 2023

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Inclusive leadership pledge

Sign our inclusive leadership pledge to demonstrate your commitment to being an inclusive leader.

22 March 2023

Article

Diversity in Health and Care Partners Programme

Supporting health and care organisations to create more inclusive workplace cultures, where difference is welcomed and celebrated.

12 September 2023

Collage of heads in different shades of brown

Corporate publication

Commit, understand, act: our anti-racism strategy

Supporting healthcare organisations to eliminate racism and reduce health inequalities through commitment, understanding and action.

22 November 2022

News

The Leadership Mentoring Programme

This new programme will help BME leaders to navigate their own leadership journey and its challenges, and to support others to do the same.

15 November 2022

News

Matthew Taylor speaking at the long term conditions revolution meeting

News

NHS Confederation and AstraZeneca UK join to tackle health inequalities for long-term conditions patients

NHS Confederation and AstraZeneca UK are pleased to announce a new collaboration agreement

3 November 2023

News

NHS Confederation responds to Steve Barclay letter on EDI roles

Matthew Taylor responds to a letter to ICB chairs from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on equality, diversity and inclusion roles

20 October 2023

News

NHS Confederation responds to the NHS Race and Health Observatory report on neonatal care for BAME newborns

Ifti Majid responds to the NHS Race and Health Observatory report on neonatal care for BAME newborns.

12 July 2023

News

Share your views on the 'Combatting racial discrimination against ethnic minority nurses, midwives and nursing associates resource'

Help us to understand how the resource is being used and identify where improvements can be made. Please share within your organisation.

7 July 2023

Join the network

Join a community working together to strengthen the voice of black and minority ethnic NHS leaders. Members of the network will receive our regular news bulletin.

Get involved

Recent work

News

Combatting racial discrimination against minority ethnic nurses and midwives

A new anti-racism resource has been published by NHS England to enable staff to take action against inequality.

3 November 2022

Headshots of Joan Saddler and Lena Samuels

Audio

Supporting healthcare organisations to eliminate racism

Joan Saddler and Lena Samuels on tackling racism and the role of healthcare organisations, systems and leaders.

21 December 2022

Report

Shattered hopes

Reflections on the lived experience of senior black and minority ethnic leaders in the NHS.

17 June 2022

Past events

Event

Equity by Design masterclass

A unique leadership masterclass tailored to meet the needs of BME Leadership Network members.

29 September 2023 10:00 - 15:00 GMT

Event

Universalise the best: An antiracist model for building healthy communities

The BME Leadership Network held its Black History Month annual lecture in the House of Commons with Professor Kevin Fenton and Stephen Timms MP.

18 October 2023 18:00 - 21:00 GMT

Conference

Highlights - Women in Leadership: Turning Intent into Action

The Health and Care Women Leaders Network hosted its seventh annual conference, on 1 November in Leeds.

1 November 2023 09:30 GMT

Blogs

NHS Voices blogs

Barclay has attacked the founding principles of the NHS

Equality, diversity, and inclusion roles have always been key to the NHS and mustn't be compromised.

10 November 2023

NHS Voices blogs

No shortcuts to tackling racism

Joan Saddler outlines how the NHS Confederation is helping members to tackle racism.

22 November 2022

NHS Voices blogs

Shifting the dial on mental health support for young black men

A programme addressing mental health needs in young black men highlights key learning for system leaders and commissioners of mental health services.

6 April 2022

NHS Voices blogs

Addressing shattered hopes

To address the findings of the NHS Confederation’s Shattered Hopes report, we must face the deep-rooted cultures of race inequality in the system.

4 August 2022

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Our equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) programme supports members to improve EDI accountability and leadership, tackling inequality through our EDI networks and partnerships.

Discover more about our EDI Programme