BLACHIR independent co-chairs
As part of the Implementation phase of the BLACHIR Review, two independent co-chairs were recruited to oversee the delivery of various BLACHIR activities, including the BLACHIR Implementation Board, from July 2023 to September 2024.
In keeping with the principles of BLACHIR, both co-chairs were leaders from the communities of interest.
The independent BLACHIR co-chairs brought relevant lived and professional experience to lead and chair the work of the BLACHIRIB. The co-chairs provided independent oversight and support to the Board, each chair taking the lead aligned to their area of expertise. Their input came from a range of associated subject areas such as:
- public health
- health inequalities
- systems leadership
- community engagement and development
- service improvement and equity
- diversity and inclusion
Dr Nike Arowobusoye
Dr Nike Arowobusoye is a consultant in Public Health Medicine, a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health, ILM level 7 qualified coach and mentor, City and Guild Train-The-Trainer.
Nike has over 25 years’ experience of working for and leading healthcare systems in the UK and abroad.
Nike is a senior health leader who has worked across the rich health and care landscape including Integrated Care Trust, Health Authority, Clinical Commissioning Group, Primary Care Trust and Local Authorities.
Sola Afuape MBE
Sola Afuape MBE has over 20 years’ experience advising, designing and implementing regional and national health improvement and service improvement programmes, most notably in Health and Social Care.
Sola has held a number of advisory roles across the public sector and central government, having worked for the Department of Health, Commission on Carers, and HMCT’s London West Advisory Committee.
Sola is the National Professional Advisor to the Care Quality Commission and the Vice Chair on the Board of two NHS organisations.
Co-chairs report
The co-chairs supported place based working, system thinking and provided robust challenge to test effectiveness of processes, critical thinking and delivery approach.
As part of their role, they developed a report to reflect on the implementation of BLACHIR to-date.
Download the BLACHIR independent co-chairs report
Page last updated: 14 April 2025
