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Thank You Event 2020: Leader of the Year - Winner

Every year we celebrate our amazing staff and their achievements at our pop-up ceremony. This year to keep everyone as safe as possible the event will be held virtually - Board members will pop into video meetings to surprise colleagues and present them with a trophy to celebrate as they are shining examples of our magnificent staff behaviours.

We will be posting all the winners as we reveal them so keep a look out on our website and social media channels. 

Leader of the Year - Winner

Leader winner

With their forward thinking Kulvant Sandhu, BAME Network Chair and James Forrest have helped the BAME Staff Network to create a clear structure, new ways of working and forged partnerships with key people inside LCH and outside too. They have provided clear, creative and distributive leadership and have clearly displayed LCH values and behaviours in their work, especially ‘leading by example’. 

They were nominated by John Walsh, Freedom to Speak up Guardian. John said: 

“They have led the growth of the Network from eight members three years ago to over 100 members today. Kulvant and James have built a Network where BAME people feel supported, safe to talk about issues, and empowered. During the COVID 19 pandemic they have led the Network in weekly online meetings with the CEO, Director of Workforce and Freedom to Speak Up Guardian to hear BAME staff; voices and stories. Kulvant and James have also led the Network in supporting the Trust to have a strong reverse mentoring programme where board members and senior leaders are mentored by BAME Network colleagues. What we are seeing here is a powerful move across our Trust for a more inclusive, open and kind culture. The leadership shown is all about better culture and care.” 

“On a personal note Kulvant and James have welcomed me into the work of the Network and I have experienced the highest degree of acceptance, support and encouragement. My role at LCH is in organisational change and leadership and I regard what Kulvant and James offer as some of the best I have seen. 

Thea Stein, Chief Executive, and Brodie Clark CBE, Chair, popped into a Team meeting via Microsoft Teams to deliver the good news!

Kulvant said: "Thank you for this award. This has been a challenging year and before I led the BAME network I would never have thought of myself as a leader. At this point, three years in, I feel that I can transfer all I have learnt as BAME Staff Network Chair to elsewhere in my work because I know what good leadership looks like. I’m so proud to be working at this Trust and within its culture.”

James said: “I am lost for words. It’s amazing that the BAME staff network is here and that we are able to meet the Board and work together not all trusts have this relationship. I never thought we would be where we are today when we first started and I am excited to be carrying on the work.”

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