Statement on HSJ article

We are serious about tackling racism. We set out our commitment to making NHSBT anti-racist and intentionally inclusive last year and launched an organisation wide programme with a two-year funding investment. This work is closely supported by the Board.

As part of the programme, our Board has undertaken one to one coaching on anti-racism, our senior leadership team is taking part psychological safety training which will be followed by anti-racism training, we have expanded our Freedom to Speak Up service and we are developing an NHSBT anti-racism framework which is being co-created with our people.

We track our progress through key indicators that are published, for example in our Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) report, monthly performance reports and staff surveys. The next phase of the programme is informed by feedback and engagement with our people. It includes a new middle manager development offer, making enhanced psychological safety support services available and piloting reverse mentoring.

Our Colindale site is integral to our service. We are investing £6.5 million in improvements at Colindale over the next 2 years - work is already underway.

After a rigorous and competitive selection process, we announced last month that Dr Jo Farrar CBE will join NHSBT as our new Chief Executive on 1 June. Jo is an extremely experienced senior leader having held Chief Executive roles at HM Prison & Probation Service and Bridgend and Bath and North Somerset Councils before being appointed the Second Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice from where she will join us. The co-chair of our Group for Racial Equality was on the final interview panel.