In line with our Better Together programme, two new Associate Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) in Common have been appointed at Kingston Hospital and HRCH, and have joined us this week.
Dr Masood Ahmed has been appointed as Associate NED with a focus on the Trusts’ digital agenda and Zaheer Ahmad MBE has been appointed as associate NED with a focus on equality, diversity and inclusion.
Associate NEDs are non-voting members of the Board. Masood and Zaheer will attend board meetings for both Trusts and the Committees in Common, as well as other relevant committees related to the work that they will be doing at Kingston Hospital and HRCH.
Dr Masood Ahmed is a respected and accomplished NHS leader with a strong focus on innovation, digital transformation, and leadership development. With over two decades of experience in the healthcare industry, he currently serves as the Chief Clinical Information Officer and Deputy Chief Medical Officer for NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care System, where he leads the digital clinical strategy.
Masood is deeply passionate about advancing the use of technology and innovation in healthcare and has a keen interest in systems leadership, EDI, digital health, and AI.
Masood has held several high-level positions throughout his career, including Global Medical Director at Dell Healthcare & Life Sciences, Chief Medical Officer at the Black Country and West Birmingham CCG, and Chief Digital Officer at the Health Innovation Network and West Midlands Academic Health Science Network (WMAHSN). He has also been a leader in advocating for healthcare professionals, having served as the Chair of Negotiators for the British Medical Association Junior Doctors’ Committee.
On his appointment, Masood said: “I’m delighted to join the hospital where I did my first surgical house job many moons ago. I’ve seen and sensed the ambition of both organisations as we look to evolve in a digital world that will be the future of health and care and I hope that my broad experience from the NHS and commercial sector will add value to both Boards.”
Zaheer Ahmad MBE is Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at multinational consumer healthcare company, Haleon. Prior to this, he held positions as Head of Strategic Delivery of Diversity and Inclusion at EY, where he chaired the business's Race Working Group, and Head of the Diversity Staff Support Association at the Home Office.
Zaheer is a highly decorated former police officer, serving in various departments including Uniform Policing, Force Intelligence Bureau, and CID. He is a former member of five National Police boards including the Ministerial Progression Board and National Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Board.
On his appointment as an Associate NED in Common, Zaheer said: “I am delighted to join Kingston Hospital and HRCH as an Associate Non-Executive Director in Common, bringing public and private sector experience, to tackle key equality, diversity and inclusion challenges which are critical for the delivery of the NHS long term workforce priorities.”
Sukhvinder Kaur-Stubbs, Chair in Common of Kingston Hospital and HRCH, said: “We are extremely fortunate to have appointed two people with such expertise to our organisations.
"This is the first time we have appointed Associate Non-Executive Directors in Common, and I really look forward to working with Masood and Zaheer on our digital agenda and equality, diversity and inclusion strategy.”