Introducing Your New Co-Chairs

Salaams all.
We realise we have been quiet recently! We thought that we will begin by introducing ourselves! Please watch this space for information about upcoming events.

With 12 years of NHS experience, I am a GP by background and currently serve as the Clinical Lead at the Urgent Treatment Centre, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. My career spans various settings, including GP practices, telemedicine, NHS 111, and urgent treatment centres, enriching my approach to patient care. I co-chair the Divisional Quality Safety Board (DQSB) meetings and lead a multidisciplinary team committed to delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality care.
I also serve as both an Educational and Clinical Supervisor, Appraiser, Quality Improvement Practitioner, Patient Safety Incident Investigator Lead, and Compassionate Lead. Recently, I joined the faculty for a leadership course and will soon begin training as a Speaking Up Champion.
As the National NHS Muslim Co-Chair, I am honoured to advocate for marginalised communities, working towards a healthcare system that values diversity, promotes inclusion, and respects the dignity of all. This role is both humbling and motivating, allowing me to address systemic inequities at a national level alongside other leaders committed to positive change.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, travelling, and swimming, which help me maintain a balanced and fulfilling life outside of my professional commitments.

Naveed Sharif was the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Programme Manager with the Northern Care Alliance – leading on the Greater Manchester work around Race Equality Change Agent Programme (RECAP); The Inclusive Lives Matter; Inclusion for Excellence programme. He is has worked as the EDI lead for NHSE NW Region Implementation Board and the Anti Racism Framework Core Group. Naveed recently completed the national Workforce Race Equality Standards (WRES) Diploma and is has completed the Nye Bevan Executive Director Development Programme. He has led the Covid19 Vaccination Programme in the North West region and has been the Head of the System Vaccination Operations Cell for Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB. He is currently in a lead role for the Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB as the Associate Director of Culture and Inclusion, leading the workforce Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Agenda.
Naveed has a wide array of Public and Private sector experience; having worked in several leadership roles within the Fire and Rescue Service for over 10 years in the Equality Diversity and Inclusion arena as well as Operational roles. Naveed graduated from national Fire Service College and completed the National High Potential Leadership Programme. Having studied for three master’s qualifications in Managing Equality and Promoting Diversity, MBA and Leadership and Management, Naveed led on the Equality Standards for Local Government, identifying strategies to become a systems wide centre for excellence around inclusion and diversity.
Naveed is also a 15-year serving chair for the Independent Police Advisory Panel (IAGP) for Lancashire Constabulary, providing independent scrutiny and consultation around the Policing priorities and performance both locally and nationally; promoting cohesion work locally and nationally. He is also the Chair of The Staff Race Equality Network (NHSE NW Region) as well as an Executive of the national Black and Minority Ethnic Network.
In his spare time, Naveed is a keen swimmer as well as a swimming coach for children with disabilities. Naveed is the lead coach for the Bhaja project that focuses on inclusion for BAME communities in sport.
Naveed has led his team to receive the Health Equity Campaign of the year (2022) in the prestigious Caribbean and African Health Network Awards (CAHN) as well as the national Parliamentary Awards for Population Health Equality.
Naveed recently had the privilege of being appointed the Co-Chair of the NHS National Muslim staff network and is ready to serve our colleagues across the UK. His passion and commitment around Culture, Inclusion and Organisational Transformation drives him in his service to our most underserved and seldom heard colleagues, patients and citizens.

I was born and raised in Birmingham.
Since joining the NHS in 2005, I have been involved in various digital transformation projects. My extensive experience includes working with clinical leads in Primary Care Trusts, Secondary Care Organisations, Mental Health Services, Learning Disabilities, and Children Services.
Currently, I am part of the Digital Partnering Team at NHS England, serving as an Implementation and Business Change Support Manager. In this role, I work directly with our front-line colleagues to implement and embed NHS England products. My responsibilities include resolving issues as they arise and removing barriers to product adoption. Additionally, I have had the privilege of engaging in public speaking, including being a guest speaker at the Best Practice Show at the Birmingham NEC.
I have been an active member of the National NHS Muslim Network Executive Committee, where I served as the Head of Network Visibility and Events. In this capacity, I was responsible for raising awareness of the network, facilitating member meetings, and supporting the Co-Chairs in inviting guest speakers to our events.
Outside of work, I enjoy travelling and spending quality time with my family. For my wellbeing, I regularly go for long walks. In my spare time, I attend wrestling events and football matches.

A bit about me:
I have been a pharmacist for the past eight years (time flies) and have worked in various settings within this time. I started off in the community sector and eventually progressed into management roles. I then decided to complete an extra qualification and became an Independent Prescriber.
I currently work within NHSE as a Training Programme Facilitator for Foundation Year Pharmacists. This role allows me to draw on my experience and shape the future workforce, which is highly rewarding. It allows me the opportunity to engage with a number of people, create innovative events and promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
The Network:
Islam underpins who I am. It is the most important aspect of my life. I feel entirely grateful for the opportunity to be co-chair of The National NHS Muslim Network. Within my practice as a pharmacist, I have been faced with various barriers that have been attributed to racist and Islamophobic rhetoric. Believe me, these challenges exist! My aim is to serve this community, facilitate healthy dialogue and push for inclusion across all channels.
Outside of work, friends and family keep me busy. Not to be totally generic – but I love travelling; who doesn’t!? So, I’m always on the lookout for new destinations. 😊