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New Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

06 May 2021

Oyebanji Adewumi joins from Barts Health NHS Trust

Banji Adewumi

Oyebanji (Banji) Adewumi has been appointed as Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and will join our University on 3 August 2021. 

Banji will head up the newly-created Directorate of EDI and joins us from Barts Health NHS Trust in London where she has held the position of Associate Director, Inclusion, since 2012.  At Barts Health she led the diversity and inclusion agenda across five hospitals which had more than 16,000 staff, located in one of the most diverse parts of the country. 

Her work has been recognised nationally with a Nursing Times Workforce Award 2019 (Best Diversity and Inclusion Initiative Award) and a Health Service Journal BME Pioneer Award in 2014.

Speaking about her new role with the University Banji said: “The opportunity to work with the students, staff and the wider University community is an exciting one. I look forward to joining the team and working to co-create a truly inclusive environment where all students and staff can flourish and achieve their potential.”

Commenting on her appointment Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility said: “Banji’s appointment is a significant step forward in bringing to life our EDI commitment to staff and students.  Her expertise, experience and energy will contribute greatly to ensuring we work together to bring significant changes to our culture, systems and processes so that all of our staff and students can thrive.”  

Patrick Hackett, Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer added: “I am delighted to welcome Banji to our University to lead our new Directorate of EDI.  I’m looking forward to working with her to set a new direction for our EDI work as well as putting into practice the commitments outlined in our action plan to address EDI issues at our University and our Race Matters action plan.

“I would also like to thank our Interim Head of EDI, Mehrunnisa Lalani, who has made a huge impact on moving forward our EDI agenda during the short time she has been with us.”