King’s Director shortlisted for national award

27 April 2022 - The award recognises the achievements of black and other minority ethnic staff from across the NHS

Funmi Onamusi – Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust – has been shortlisted for an award at the National BAME Health and Care Awards.

The awards – which will be announced on the 9th June at the Royal College of Physicians- celebrate black and other ethnic minority NHS staff who are making significant improvements to support BAME career development and forging better healthcare initiatives for their local communities.

King’s Director, Funmi, has been shortlisted for the Compassionate and Inclusive Leader award, which recognises staff who are working to create a culture where staff feel safe to be themselves and feel inspired to achieve their best.

The award also celebrates how nominees have worked with colleagues to respond to the needs of BAME patients and communities and challenged the system where necessary.

Since joining the senior leadership team at King’s in June 2021, Funmi has been responsible for accelerating the Trust’s ambitious EDI agenda, and ensuring King’s works towards being an exemplar in all its people practices.

Funmi and the EDI team recently held a Trust-wide event focussed on understanding Ramadan and what practical steps King’s colleagues can take during the holy month to ensure an inclusive environment for all. She has also led the development of an exciting three year EDI roadmap which will be launched in the summer.

Funmi Onamusi, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am incredibly honoured to be nominated for this award. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be able to support my colleagues during an incredibly challenging period for the NHS. We want to make King’s a truly inclusive place to work, and to receive care – and this is driving a lot of the work that we are doing.”

Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, added:
“This is great news for Funmi, and recognition for the work she is leading to help King’s become a more diverse and inclusive organisation. The launch of our EDI roadmap in May is an important step in our development as an organisation, and I know our ambition is shared by colleagues, patients, and the communities we serve.”