Dr Amit Patel is a best-selling author, broadcaster, award-winning DEI consultant, and disability rights campaigner. His work spans media, advocacy, inclusive design, and healthcare.

Before losing his sight to keratoconus in 2013, he worked as a trauma doctor specialising in emergency medicine and major incident response. His clinical background and lived experience of sight loss continue to shape his work in accessibility, equity, and inclusion.

Inspired by his partnership with his guide dog Kika (now retired), he wrote the acclaimed memoir Kika & Me, combining personal storytelling with advocacy for greater representation of disabled people.

Through his writing, broadcasting, consultancy, and public speaking, he challenges perceptions, champions inclusion, and helps organisations create more accessible and equitable environments.

After undertaking a PhD in Neurobiology, Candy held a British Heart Foundation Basic Science Lectureship at University College London before joining Wellcome in 1996. Previous roles at Wellcome include leadership of the personal award schemes for basic scientists in the UK – from PhD Programmes through to the suite of research fellowship schemes and Investigator Awards. More recently, she focussed on providing expert support and guidance to Wellcome grant holders, as well as those seeking funding. As Head of Science Transition, Candy looked after a diverse portfolio of activities that were established before the launch of Wellcome’s current strategy to ensure their success and impact was maximised.

Dr Joan St John is a GP and primary-care specialist in diabetes, with extensive experience in improving diabetes care within community and clinical settings.

She is a co-author of Carbs & Cals World Foods, the first visual guide to carbohydrate content in traditional African, Asian, Arabic, and Caribbean foods, designed to support culturally inclusive diabetes management.

A former Diabetes UK Clinical Champion and member of its Professional Leadership alumni, she currently works within the award-winning Brent Integrated Diabetes Service.

Alongside her clinical work, she serves as a voluntary Clinical Advisor to Diabetes Africa and hosts the Diabetes Health Matters webinar series. She also co-authors educational resources focused on reducing health inequalities in diabetes care.

Joan is passionate about empowering people living with diabetes and regularly works with community groups and healthcare professionals to improve education, self-management, and equitable access to care.

Lola Solebo is a Clinician Scientist and Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist. Her work investigates the characterisation on the natural history and the determinants of outcome for children with treatable eye disorders, particularly uveitis and cataract, and how best to translate those findings into changes in practice and policy. She currently plays a role in supporting WVUK members interested in clinical academia.

Dr Lyabode (Oni) Blackstock is an American primary care and HIV physician, researcher, and founder of Health Justice, a racial and health equity consulting practice.

She previously served as Assistant Commissioner for the Bureau of HIV at the New York City Department of Health, where she led the city’s response to the HIV epidemic.

Her work and research focus on health and racial equity, with particular attention to the experiences of women and people of colour in healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she provided public guidance on sexual health, HIV care, and the intersection of HIV and COVID-19, supporting both patients and healthcare providers.

Dr Martina Wicklein is Associate Professor (Teaching) and Head of Teaching in the Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology at UCL.

Since joining UCL in 2015 as a Senior Teaching Fellow, she has played a key role in undergraduate neuroscience education, combining teaching, academic leadership, and student support. Her responsibilities include leading the departmental teaching team, acting as first-year tutor for the neuroscience programme, serving as personal tutor to students, and chairing the EC panel.

She is module lead for Introduction to Neuroscience (NEUR0004) and Foundations of Neurobiology (NEUR0005), and contributes teaching across a range of neuroscience and medical school modules.

She became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2017 and was awarded Senior Fellowship in 2025. She is also active as an assessor and mentor within ARENA.

Dr Pretty Basra is a multi-passionate entrepreneur and TedX speaker helping professionals and healthcare leaders master the mental fitness, mindset, and strategy it takes to create high-performing teams and thriving businesses.

As an award-winning optometrist and 7-figure business owner, she blend science, strategy, and soul to help others lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Dr Ruth Windscheffel is Head of Teaching and Learning Enhancement at York St John University, where she leads a central team supporting institutional teaching, learning, and staff development.

With over 20 years’ experience in UK higher education, she trained to doctoral level in Modern British History at the University of Oxford, Royal Holloway, University of London, and the University of Liverpool, and has worked as a teacher, researcher, and educational developer throughout her career.

Her leadership experience spans the Open University, the University of Essex, and City, University of London, before returning to Yorkshire to take up her current role.

She oversees professional development and recognition pathways, including Advance HE-accredited Fellowship routes, and contributes to strategic initiatives, quality enhancement, and institutional reporting. She is also actively involved in staff networks, mentoring, and wellbeing initiatives across the university.

She is a Senior Fellow of Advance HE and an alumna of the Aurora leadership programme, with a strong commitment to inclusive education, staff development, and enhancing the student learning experience.

Dr Tamsin Callaghan is an experienced clinician and researcher in the field of vision and eye care. She is committed to advancing clinical practice, fostering professional development, and supporting evidence-based research to improve patient outcomes. Dr Callaghan is passionate about mentoring emerging professionals and promoting inclusion, collaboration, and excellence across the vision and ophthalmology community.

Fiona Hathorn is a respected diversity and inclusion expert, author and speaker, and the Founder of Women in Banking & Finance. She works with organisations across sectors to improve gender balance, leadership diversity and inclusive workplace cultures. Fiona is known for her practical, evidence-based approach to driving change and has advised senior leaders, boards and policymakers on building fairer and more effective organisations. She is a passionate advocate for equality and is widely recognised for her work championing women’s progression and representation at leadership level.

Judith Potts is a former actor, acting and presentation coach, working under her stage name – Judith Fielding.  She founded Act One, a company that offered drama classes for children and presentation coaching for adults.

From 2010 to 2019, she wrote a health column for The Telegraph, drawing on her personal experiences — including her own journey with breast cancer — to highlight the work of the health charities. When her mother, Esme, developed Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS), this became a feature of the Column.

In 2015 she launched Esme’s Umbrella — first as an Awareness Campaign and then, in 2021, this became a fully-registered charity— to raise awareness of CBS, offer support to adults and children who develop CBS, and inspire vitally-needed research.

Judith has written widely on CBS in academic and clinical contexts, contributing to journals, conferences, podcasts, webinars and public events.

In recognition of her work, she received a Times Sternberg Active Life Award in 2025, honouring her “tireless, unpaid work to raise awareness of Charles Bonnet Syndrome.”

Marsha De Cordova is a British politician and advocate for equality and inclusion. She has served as a Member of Parliament and held roles championing education, disability rights, and social justice. Marsha is passionate about empowering underrepresented communities, promoting accessibility, and driving positive change through policy, advocacy, and public engagement.

Dawn A. Sim, FRCOphth, currently works as a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital, United Kingdom, specializing in Medical Retina & Cataract. Dr Sim obtained her medical degree from St George’s Hospital, University of London, and did her PhD research at the Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London. Dr Sim’s primary areas of interest include retinal imaging, teleophthalmology, and the potential use of regenerative medicine in the treatment of diabetic eye disease.

Miss Lydia Chang is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon with sub-specialty expertise in glaucoma, trained at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London.

She provides comprehensive ophthalmology services, including the diagnosis and treatment of common eye conditions such as dry eye, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, and red, painful or blurred vision. She also specialises in the assessment and medical management of glaucoma.

Her surgical practice includes cataract surgery, glaucoma procedures, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), including iStent® implantation, as well as laser treatments such as selective laser trabeculoplasty and laser iridotomy.

With a strong research-informed background, she takes an evidence-based, patient-centred approach and is experienced in interpreting complex glaucoma cases using advanced diagnostic technologies.

Miss Rebecca Ford is a Consultant Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgeon at Bristol Eye Hospital, with expertise in complex eyelid and orbital conditions. She is actively involved in medical education, serving as Chair of the Education Committee at the Royal College of Ophthalmology and Head of School for the Severn Ophthalmology Training Programme. Rebecca is also committed to charitable work, mentoring, and promoting equality and professional development for women in ophthalmology worldwide.

Mr Naresh Joshi is a Consultant Oculoplastic Surgeon based in London. He completed a Corneal Fellowship at the Proctor Foundation in San Francisco, followed by an Oculoplastic Fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital. He co-founded the Cranio-Orbital Service at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

He is a founding member and past President of the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society, the UK representative and an Executive Member of the European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the Founder and Chairman of the World Society of Ophthalmic Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery.

Mrs Sabrina Shah-Desai is a highly experienced eye and facial rejuvenation specialist with over two decades of surgical and non-surgical practice in the UK.

She is listed on the Royal College of Surgeons of England register of Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeons, reflecting her expertise, commitment to high clinical standards, and the trust she has earned from both patients and peers.

Her work has been consistently recognised in the Tatler Top Doctors Guide as a leading expert in eye treatments for six consecutive years (2019–2024). She has also received multiple industry awards, including Best Aesthetic Doctor (Safety in Beauty Diamond Award 2023) and Consultant Surgeon of the Year (Aesthetic Awards 2021), alongside recognition for surgical excellence and medical aesthetics.

In 2019, she was named among the Global 100 Most Influential Aesthetic Practitioners by MyFaceMyBody.

Known for combining technical expertise with a patient-centred and empathetic approach, she is widely regarded as a trusted specialist in her field.

Ms Evelyn (Evie) Mensah is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Clinical Lead for Ophthalmology at Central Middlesex Hospital, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust. She also serves as Co-Lead for the North West London Ophthalmology Clinical Reference Group. Trained at Imperial College and Moorfields Eye Hospital, Evie specialises in medical retinal disease and complex cataract surgery. She is actively involved in training ophthalmology specialists, developing extended clinical roles across multidisciplinary teams, and promoting global eye health initiatives. Evie is also a past Diversity Lead for Women in Vision UK, advocating for equality and inclusion within the profession.

Ms Louise Wickham is a highly respected consultant ophthalmic surgeon with specialist expertise in retinal conditions including retinal detachment, retinal vein occlusions and epiretinal membranes. As chief medical director of Moorfields Eye Hospital and national clinical director for eye care at NHS England, she leads innovation in vitreoretinal surgery and clinical strategy at a national level. With an MD in proliferative vitreoretinopathy and numerous professional affiliations, Miss Wickham is recognised for her pioneering research and excellence in patient care.

Professor Alice Roberts is a distinguished academic, anatomist, and public educator, renowned for her work in anatomy, human evolution, and archaeology. She combines research, teaching, and media engagement to inspire public interest in science and medicine. Professor Roberts is passionate about education, mentorship, and promoting diversity and inclusion in scientific and academic communities.