News

We are delighted to announce that our Chief Nursing and AHP Officer, Manny Gnanaraj, was awarded the Nurse of the Year Award at the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO)’s three-day conference which took place from 28-30 November 2025.

The BAPIO Annual Awards are a celebration of excellence, leadership and innovation in healthcare. The awards recognise individuals and teams who have made outstanding contributions to equality, diversity, clinical excellence, education, research, leadership and advocacy.

Manny took up the role of Chief Nursing and AHP Officer at the North London NHS Foundation Trust in April 2025 and since then, he has been leading the Trust’s nursing and allied health professionals (AHP) staff, as well as being responsible for patient safety and quality of care.

Manny was the NHS’s first internationally-educated nurse from India to be appointed to a Board-level Chief Nursing role.

On receiving the award, Manny said:

“I feel very grateful and humbled to receive this esteemed recognition and I feel privileged to serve as the Chief Nurse for an organisation that celebrates and embeds diversity in everything they do.

“This award is an honour and a recognition of everything we do at NLFT to deliver better mental health.”

The British Indian Nurses Association (BINA) praised Manny for this recognition and celebrated his two decades of leadership, innovation and dedication:

“Manny has been a true force for change, championing support for internationally educated nurses, equity, and person-centred care across the system. His influence and drive have touched countless lives and continue to elevate our profession to new heights.

“His passion, vision, and service to nursing are not just impressive, they are inspirational. Thank you, Manny, for leading the way, raising the bar, and being a beacon of excellence for nurses everywhere.”

BAPIO  is a national voluntary organisation that promotes professional excellence and leadership amongst healthcare professionals to improve patient care.

Congratulations to Manny on this well-deserved honour.  We’re proud of his contributions and the positive impact he’s made across the Trust.