We are proud to announce that Asma Nafees, Deputy Chief Operating Officer – NHS England at Arden & GEM, has been named in the 50 most influential Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in health: Rising stars.
Compiled by the Health Service Journal (HSJ), in association with the NHS Race and Health Observatory, this is the 11th edition of HSJ’s BAME ‘power list’. The annual activity identifies the top 50 most influential people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds in the English healthcare system.
Asma’s inclusion is the result of her relentless work in championing the need for culturally appropriate services and for providing a focus on staff wellbeing. In addition to her role at Arden & GEM, she is also a non-executive at Derbyshire Community Health Services Foundation Trust and co-chair of the Asian Professionals National Alliance, a South Asian NHS staff network.
The judging panel for 2025 was co-chaired by Alastair McLellan, editor of HSJ, and Habib Naqvi, chief executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory. A diverse group of senior figures from across the NHS and health policy contributed to the selection process. Judges assessed candidates based on their positive influence in the NHS and health policy between July 2025 and June 2026.
To view the full list please visit Health Service Journal.