Welcome to our new associate director of inclusion
We are delighted to announce that Bernadette Thompson OBE has joined Barts Health as the new associate director of inclusion.
As associate director of inclusion, Bernadette will lead our WeBelong programme which seeks to make Barts Health an inclusive organisation where everyone is welcomed, valued and empowered.
She will also help design and progress our WeBelong initiatives, which aim to eliminate discrimination, celebrate diversity and promote equality of opportunity at Barts Health.
Bernadette brings a wealth of experience to the role having spent 23 years in the Civil Service, where she held a range of operational and HR roles across many government departments and agencies.
During this time, Bernadette spent five years co-chairing Race to the top G6/7 Network, which helps Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Civil Service colleagues thrive and progress and address BAME underrepresentation in Government.
Bernadette has won a number of awards throughout her career, most notably, recently receiving an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to diversity and inclusion. Bernadette takes over from Banji Adewumi who previously led the programme and has moved on to pastures new.
Commenting on her new role, Bernadette said:
It is an honour and a privilege to work in the NHS and with colleagues who have looked after the nation during the ‘eye of the Covid-19 storm.’
I took up this opportunity to help create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive culture, where employees can thrive, give their best, fulfil their career aspirations and feel that they belong.
I’m looking forward to delivering on our commitments in our WeBelong strategy, including improving the experiences of our patients from our diverse communities and also the lived experience of our staff.
Read more
Read more about the WeBelong programme on WeShare.