Health and Care Women Leaders network announces new leadership
The Health and Care Women Leaders Network has appointed a new chair and deputy chair.
Salma Yasmeen, Chief Executive of Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, will take over as chair alongside Helen Buckingham, chair of National Voices, who will take on the role of Deputy Chair. Helen has supported the network on as a member of its Guiding Group since 2020 and is an expert in health and care systems.
Sam Allen, chief executive of the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, has led the Health and Care Women Leaders Network since 2018 with Tracie Jolliff acting as deputy chair since October 2019.
During their tenure, Sam and Tracie have supported over 2,700 women in health and care, mentoring many into executive and board-level positions and enhancing female representation. Together, they created a collaborative space for over 200 women’s network leads to share best practices and empower one another.
Their leadership has forged strong partnerships with organisations such as the NHS Muslim Women’s Network, The Shuri Network, The Medical Women’s Federation and the HFMA and Ambulance Association, amplifying the collective impact on gender equity.
Under their guidance, the network has advocated for equality in NHS Boards across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, supported by evidence-based research. It published "Action for Equality in Wales and Northern Ireland: The Time is Now," highlighting the role of men as allies in promoting gender equity. The network also hosted its largest online celebration for International Women’s Day during COVID-19, engaging over 5,000 participants, and conducted research on the impact of women in healthcare during the pandemic to inform policy.
Reflecting on her time leading the network, Sam said:
"It has been a privilege to chair the Network for the last eight years and I am delighted to hand over to Salma who will take on the chair and Helen deputy chair.
I want to thank our incredible members, sister networks and allies for their unwavering support, as well as my longstanding deputy chair, Tracie Joliiff. Special thanks also go to the chairs of the women's networks right across our NHS and healthcare organisations, who strive to support the 78% of women working in and with the NHS. Their work is why we exist and they continue to deliver much needed improvements for women.
I am deeply grateful to every woman and ally who has stepped forward, spoken up and driven change. As I step down, I urge every leader – current, future and aspiring to keep pushing for equality, to lift others as you climb and to ensure women's voices continue to shape the future of health and care and are equally represented at every level of leadership."
Looking ahead
The network’s new chair, Salma Yasmeen, has been Chief Executive of Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust since July 2023.
She will work closely with Samantha and members of the network's Guiding Group to ensure a seamless transition and continued support for members' personal and professional development.
Salma has been an active member of the network and brings a wealth of experience and passion to her new role.
Salma said:
"I’m delighted to take on the role of chair of the Health and Care Women Leaders Network at such a pivotal moment. My priority is to build on the strong foundations Sam has created, ensuring we continue to champion, support and empower women across health and care. I’m looking forward to working together to drive meaningful change and keep pushing for genuine gender equity across our sector.”
The Health and Care Women Leaders Network is delivered by the NHS Confederation. It is a free network for women working across health and care and aims to address the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions and promote gender equity and support women in their professional journeys within the sector.
