Join Castle Peak Group and Opencast for the exclusive launch of Progress Under Pressure: Health

Castle Peak Group and Opencast invite you to the launch of Progress Under Pressure: Health, a new report exploring diversity and inclusion at Board and Executive level across the North East’s health sector.

Drawing on insights from senior leaders across NHS Trusts, national bodies and associated services, the report looks at how organisations are navigating the balance between risk, transformation, and the need for more representative leadership.

At a time of significant pressure and change across the NHS, this session will explore:

• The current state of diversity at senior levels

• Structural and cultural barriers to progress

• How organisations are embedding inclusive practice

• The role of leadership in shaping future health services

Speakers on the day will include:

• Sarat Pediredla – Non-Executive Director with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Chair of its Information Management and Technology Committee. Sarat co-founded global technology firm hedgehog lab, served as its chief executive for 19 years, and is currently building AI-native digital product studio LevelFive.

• Odeth Richardson – Head of Occupational Therapy at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Chair of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the British Association of Occupational Therapy. A recognised leader in race equality and inclusion, Odeth also chairs her Trust's BAME Staff Network and the North East and North Cumbria ICS Race Equality Forum, and serves as a trustee of the Great North Children's Hospital Foundation, a member of Northumbria Police's Strategic Independent Advisory Group, and Co-Chair of the Angelou Centre.

Following the presentation, join peers from across the region for discussion and informal networking over breakfast.