Seven BAME members gain funded places on AHP Future Leaders Programme

The programme, which is approved by the Institute of Leadership and Management, aims to support and foster the development of potential future leaders of AHP professional associations.

The seven successful applicants for funded places on the programme were Ameer Rasheed, Leanne Antoine, Mishah Skerritt, Praveen Kumar, Resmi Sugathan, Srikesavan Sabapathy and Umer Sheikh.

Commenting on his place on the course Praveen Kumar, a senior lecturer in physiotherapy at the University of the West of England, Bristol, said: ‘It’s a great opportunity to have been offered a place on the AHPF’s Future Leaders Programme.

I am grateful to the CSP for funding this course and I look forward to gaining appropriate leadership skills in governance through this programme

Another successful applicant, Resmi Sugathan, works as a musculoskeletal specialist physiotherapist at Glangwili Hospital, Hywel Dda University Health Board.

Speaking about the funding that has enabled her place on the course, she said: ‘I feel appreciated, having been giving this wonderful opportunity to attend the future leadership programme. I feel that I’m finally valued as a BAME member.’

Meanwhile, Umer Sheikh, an advanced clinical practitioner who works at the same trust, said: ‘Securing a place on this fantastic programme will be a great help for networking with an interesting and diverse group of people.

‘The support added by CSP will provide breadth to the fulfilling experience, giving an inside view into the way the world of organisation works.

This programme will be formative in cementing my plans for building a thriving physiotherapy community, championing physiotherapy, maintaining an effective and sustainable organisation with vision and courage

‘I believe by completing this programme I will be able to effectively influence change within the CSP so that it achieves considerably greater levels of race equality specifically, and the whole spectrum of equality generally and develop BAME leaders to reach their potential meaning.’

Over a six-month period, participants on the course will receive guidance on a variety of strategic corporate issues, including finance, governance, leadership skills and risk management.