Soumen is Chief Officer for Health and Social Care in South Lanarkshire. He is also a member of the executive teams of NHS Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire Council and serves on the Executive Group of Health and Social Care Scotland, representing the national network of Integration Joint Board Chief Officers. He has led transformation and delivered improvement at local, regional and national levels. A Visiting Professor at the University of Strathclyde and an Honorary Professor at Glasgow Caledonian University, his interests include systems leadership, place-based collaboration and improving population health.
As NHS Scotland Chief People Officer, Fiona works collaboratively with NHS Health Boards, Scottish Government and the wider health and care system, on the people agenda and priorities, to support colleagues and enable transformation of services, for the benefit of the population.
Fiona was previously Director of People & Culture at NHS Highland and joined the NHS in 2019, after 20 years working in people, change and leadership roles in the Financial Services and Pharmaceutical R&D sectors. She is passionate about systems leadership, encouraging challenge, valuing difference, promoting kindness and respect and putting people, not processes first.
Alan Young has been editor of The Scotsman since September 2024, having previously worked for more than 20 years in Scottish journalism. As Scotsman editor, he is committed to being a champion of the NHS and its workforce, and is honoured to be involved as a judge of these incredible awards.
Caroline is the Chief Executive of NHS Lothian and has significant and demonstrable leadership experience at an executive leadership level in NHS Scotland. Her professional experience as a Registered Nurse and core values meaning she has an unwavering focus on optimising the potential of people with a particular interest in organisational cultures, accountability and leadership in complex systems.
As a senior leader in Scotland’s health and care system, Caroline is deeply aware of the impact that her leadership attitude, language and behaviour has on people, and on the culture of the organisations she leads.
Frances Carmicheal has been a senior representative within UNISON for 25 years and is currently Acute Convenor within UNISON GGC&CVS branch. Within UNISON Scotland, Frances Carmicheal is Vice-Chair of the Scottish Health Committe as well as staffside Chair for the Scottish Partnership Forum.
Sandie Scott is Director of Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Relations at NHS Golden Jubilee and Chair of the National Strategic NHS Communications Group. With more than 25 years’ experience in communications, marketing and stakeholder engagement, she began her career in Investment Management before moving into senior leadership roles within the NHS. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sandie was a member of the NHS Louisa Jordan Executive Management Team, helping to support Scotland’s national response. She is also a Deputy Lieutenant for Dunbartonshire.
Sarah Compton-Bishop was appointed as Chair of NHS Highland in March 2023 following five years serving as a Non-Executive Director on the board.
Sarah has a broad range of governance experience across public and third sector organisations, including her work as Chair of the Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board and NHS Highland Staff Governance Committee.
Sarah’s career has spanned roles in operational delivery and improvement, strategic leadership and Community Led development in remote rural communities – something she remains passionate about.
Sarah has worked extensively in and with several volunteer organisations and continues to support initiatives in her local community.
Having lived in the Highlands since her teens, Sarah relocated to the Isle of Jura in 2012 with her family. During this time Sarah has lived with, and supported loved ones with long term health conditions, leading to a particular interest in innovative solutions for delivering equitable health care across our diverse geography.
Sarah is Chair of the NHS Scotland Volunteering Advisory Board and the Improving Population Health Group.
Professor Emma Watson is Executive Medical Director at Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSDS), Honorary Professor at the University of Aberdeen and Co-Chair of the Scottish Association of Medical Directors (SAMD). A Consultant Medical Microbiologist by clinical background, she has held a number of senior leadership roles across NHS Scotland.
Emma is widely respected for her leadership in workforce development, medical education, patient safety and clinical governance. She has worked across healthcare, academia and government, including as a Senior Medical Officer within the Scottish Government. A former Commonwealth Fund Harkness Fellow in Health Care Policy and Practice, she has particular interests in health equity, rural and remote healthcare, and sustainable workforce models. Through her leadership roles, she is committed to supporting high-quality, safe and equitable care for patients and communities across Scotland.
Craig Allan is a senior leader in public participation, community engagement and service improvement, with extensive experience across health, local government and the voluntary sector. As a member of the Scottish Health Council, he has championed meaningful involvement of patients, carers and communities in shaping health and care services. Throughout his career, Craig has led strategic initiatives that strengthen partnership working, support inclusive decision-making and improve outcomes for communities. Recognised for his commitment to empowerment, innovation and collaboration, he is passionate about ensuring that people's lived experiences inform the design and delivery of public services.
