The Health and Care Women Leaders Network has confirmed a significant change in its leadership team, naming Salma Yasmeen as the incoming chair and Helen Buckingham as deputy chair. The announcement, made on 3 December, follows the decision by current chair Sam Allen and deputy chair Tracie Jolliff to step down after several years in their roles.

Yasmeen, who serves as Chief Executive of Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, will assume the position of chair. She will be joined by Buckingham, chair of National Voices, who will shift into the role of deputy chair. Buckingham has supported the network as part of its Guiding Group since 2020 and is recognised for her expertise in health and care systems.

Allen, chief executive of the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, has led the network since 2018, with Jolliff acting as deputy chair from October 2019. Under their leadership, the network has supported more than 2,700 women working across health and care, helping many progress into senior and board-level roles. They also established a collaborative environment for over 200 women’s network leads, enabling them to exchange knowledge and strengthen collective action.

The pair have cultivated important partnerships with organisations including the NHS Muslim Women’s Network, The Shuri Network, The Medical Women’s Federation, and the HFMA and Ambulance Association. These relationships have reinforced ongoing work to advance gender equity across the sector.

Their tenure also included major advocacy efforts around equality on NHS boards in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, supported by research-based evidence. Among their publications was Action for Equality in Wales and Northern Ireland: The Time is Now, which explored the significance of male allies in improving gender equity. During the pandemic, the network hosted its largest online International Women’s Day celebration, attracting more than 5,000 participants, and produced research examining the experiences of women in healthcare, which has been used to support policy development.

Reflecting on her time in the role, Allen said: “It has been a privilege to chair the Network for the last eight years and I am delighted to hand over to Salma who will take on the chair and Helen deputy chair.

I want to thank our incredible members, sister networks and allies for their unwavering support, as well as my longstanding deputy chair, Tracie Joliiff. Special thanks also go to the chairs of the women’s networks right across our NHS and healthcare organisations, who strive to support the 78% of women working in and with the NHS. Their work is why we exist and they continue to deliver much needed improvements for women.

I am deeply grateful to every woman and ally who has stepped forward, spoken up and driven change. As I step down, I urge every leader – current, future and aspiring to keep pushing for equality, to lift others as you climb and to ensure women’s voices continue to shape the future of health and care and are equally represented at every level of leadership.”

Looking ahead, Yasmeen will collaborate with network members and its Guiding Group to maintain continuity and strengthen support for women’s development across the sector. She has been actively involved in the network and brings significant experience to her new position.

Yasmeen said: “I’m delighted to take on the role of chair of the Health and Care Women Leaders Network at such a pivotal moment. My priority is to build on the strong foundations Sam has created, ensuring we continue to champion, support and empower women across health and care. I’m looking forward to working together to drive meaningful change and keep pushing for genuine gender equity across our sector.”

The Health and Care Women Leaders Network, delivered by the NHS Confederation, is a free resource for women working across health and care. Its mission is to address the ongoing underrepresentation of women in leadership roles while supporting their professional progression and promoting gender equity throughout the sector.