Event

Celebrating Black History Month: an evening with Lord Adebowale CBE and Baroness Warsi

Join us and the NHS Race and Health Observatory for an evening celebration, where we host an in-depth conversation with two pioneering BME leaders.
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General information

Time
14 October 2025 17:30 - 21:00 GMT
Audience
Open to all
Event location
London

Speakers

Join us in London for our annual Black History Month celebration, which this year we are hosting with the NHS Race and Health Observatory. The evening will feature an insightful and in-depth conversation between Lord Victor Adebowale CBE and The Rt Hon. Baroness Sayeeda Warsi. 

Lord Adebowale CBE will invite reflections from Baroness Warsi on her personal journey through her career as lawyer, politician and a member of the House of Lords. This evening will provide exclusive insights on what it means to be a pioneering leader from a BME background. 

Expect the conversation to touch on:

  • BME representation in public life and the corridors of power
  • leading with integrity and speaking up against injustice
  • building and drawing upon a support system when navigating the challenges of leadership
  • lifting and supporting others
  • the importance of reflecting, celebrating and taking up space.

In addition, hear about the work of our BME Leadership Network, as well as exclusive insights on the NHS Race and Health Observatory's ongoing activities to address the ethnicity pay and progression gap within the NHS, plus practical tips for adopting the observatory’s Seven Principles of Anti-Racism.

Why attend

  • Connect with colleagues, build solidarity and celebrate during Black History Month.
  • Hear from two high-profile leaders on the challenges they have successfully overcome and how they continue to lead in line with their values.
  • Learn about the work of the NHS Race and Health Observatory and the BME Leadership Network and how you can get involved.
  • Connect with network members and anti-racism campaigners from inside the NHS and the wider community.

Who can attend

This event is free and open to anyone with an interest in anti-racism, diverse leadership and celebrating the achievements of BME leaders. Places are available on a first-come first-served basis.

If you have any queries, please contact BLN@nhsconfed.org.

Book your place  

  • If you are interested in supporting the event, please email Henry Crawford in our commercial team to discuss opportunities. 

  • We are delighted to be co-hosting this event with the NHS Race and Health Observatory. The observatory is an independent expert body, established by the NHS to identify and tackle inequalities experienced in health and healthcare by Black and minority ethnic patients, communities and the workforce in England. 

    They work as a proactive investigator by actioning evidence and insight, providing evidence-based health policy recommendations, and facilitating long-term transformational change across health and care. They are data and evidence-driven, as well as factual and solution-focused. The observatory is supported by NHS England and hosted by the NHS Confederation.

  • The NHS Confederation's BME Leadership Network exists to strengthen the voice of NHS BME leaders and to support NHS organisations to meet the needs of all communities. Membership is open to both NHS BME leaders and allies. Visit BME Leadership Network to become a member.