About Me
Welcome to my campaign website for the Dean at the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
My passion for education and training is evident in my ability to blend frontline clinical work with medical education, senior leadership, and system transformation. I a proven track record in clinical governance, workforce strategy, training, and national policy development. My leadership style is compassionate, structured, and delivery-focused, aimed at strengthening standards and empowering colleagues to thrive.
I arrived in the UK in 1994 as an International Medical Graduate and completed my core training in Liverpool. During this time, I developed a strong interest in Old Age Psychiatry while working with inspirational consultants. Before pursuing my higher training in Old Age Psychiatry at St Barts rotation in East London, I worked as a Staff Grade Doctor for a year in Crewe.
After obtaining my CCT, I began my first consultant role at Essex Partnership University Trust and later moved to North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT), where I spent 20 years in various roles including Director of Medical Education,Foundation tutor, SAS Tutor, and Associate Medical Director. I am currently the Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Kent and Medway Mental Health Trust.
I completed my formative training at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bangalore, India, one of the country's premier psychiatric institutions.
During this time, I gained a profound respect for thorough clinical assessment, formulation, and academic psychiatry, which ignited my passion for medical education.
These early experiences have fostered my lasting commitment to maintaining high standards, promoting education, and encouraging international collaboration.
"Psychiatric Trainer of the Year"
RCPsych (2015)
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Deputy Chief Medical Officer & Deputy Responsible Officer , Kent and Medway Mental Health Trust(2022- )
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Chair, Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry, Royal College of Psychiatrists ( 2024- )
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Director of Medical Education , North East London Foundation Trust ( 2011-2018)
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Associate Director for Education, UCLPartners , London ( 2016-2018)
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Chair, Pan-London Older Adult Community Mental Health Transformation Group, Healthy London Partnership (2021-22)
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Clinical Lead, Older Adult Community Mental Health Transformation, Kent and Medway ICS (2022-23)
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RCPsych Trainer of the Year (2015)
Areas of impact
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Designing and delivering innovative training programmes.
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Supporting international medical graduates and early-career psychiatrists.
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Developing leadership pathways and workforce strategies.
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Improving access and quality in older adult mental health services.
MBBS,
Vijaynagar Institute of Medical Sciences,
Bellary, India
DPM
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences ( NIMHANS) , India
FRCPsych
UK
MBA
Open University
UK
"We are at a turning point in psychiatry. This is not a time for drift, it is a time for direction.
Let's protect what matters, fix what isn't workingand shape the future together."
I am standing for Dean because psychiatry deserves a leader who has lived its challenges from the inside not just understood them from a distance.
I arrived in the UK in 1994 as an International Medical Graduate, beginning my training in Liverpool with little more than ambition and a commitment to the highest clinical standards. Over the three decades that followed, I built my career one patient, one trainee, and one system at a time. That journey from IMG trainee to Consultant, from Director of Medical Education to Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and now to Chair of the Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry has given me something no job description can confer: a genuine, ground-level understanding of what it means to be a psychiatrist in the NHS today.
Early in my career, as an international medical graduate, I faced challenges that many trainees will recognise particularly around communication, confidence, and navigating a new system. These difficulties affected my performance in the MRCPsych examinations, and there were moments when the path forward felt uncertain.
At that time, I had the opportunity to meet Professor John Cox, then Dean of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. What stood out was not just his stature, but his kindness. He took the time to listen, to encourage, and to offer support at a point when it was most needed.For him, it may have been a small, routine act of mentorship. For me, it was transformative.
That experience stayed with me. It shaped how I see leadership, education, and the responsibility we hold as senior clinicians. It reminded me that behind every trainee struggling with exams or progression is a capable doctor who may just need the right support at the right time. I have worked to create more inclusive, supportive training environments, where trainees are not defined by setbacks but enabled to succeed.
As Dean, I want to ensure that every trainee regardless of background feels supported, valued, and given a fair opportunity to progress.Because sometimes, a small act of support can change the course of a career.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I undertook a personal fundraising initiative to support NHS staff wellbeing through music. Despite having no formal training in singing or video editing, I challenged myself to learn both from scratch. I recorded and produced a series of 10 Bollywood songs, bringing them together into a curated video collection to engage and inspire others during a difficult time. This initiative successfully raised over £6,000 towards NHS staff wellbeing initiatives. Alongside this, I also created a dedicated musical tribute celebrating the invaluable contribution of South East Asian communities to the NHS. These videos, which hold deep personal and collective meaning, are available to view via the link below. ( Please see the video section for the different videos )
My Priorities
Protect the Standards That Define Us
Psychiatry is a distinct medical specialty, and our training must reflect that. The Dean must be the guardian of clinical rigour ensuring that no matter what pressures the NHS faces, our trainees emerge as confident, skilled, and formulation-focused psychiatrists.
As Dean, I will:
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Strengthen the curriculum and training pathways ensuring they evolve to reflect new developments in digital psychiatry, biomarkers diagnostic innovation and new treatments, while safeguarding the core clinical skills that define excellent psychiatric practice.
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Champion examination quality and transparency ensuring assessments remain robust, fair, and credible, with full support for trainees navigating the CASC and other assessments.
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Support supervisors as first-class educators because excellent training depends on supervisors who are properly trained, protected time to supervise, and genuinely valued by the College.
Shape the Future : with a Plan
The future of psychiatry will not wait for us. Workforce shortages, technological change, demographic pressure, and shifting patient needs are already reshaping what psychiatrists must know and do. The Dean must lead the College's response and not react to it.
As Dean, I will:
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Invest in leadership development for trainees through service improvement opportunities, team leadership programmes, and educational leadership pathways, building the next generation of leaders from within training itself.
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Embed research capability across the workforce strengthening training in research methods, developing research supervisors, encouraging academic pathways, and supporting innovation in digital psychiatry and new diagnostic approaches.
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Tackle the workforce challenge directly expanding training opportunities, supporting capacity building, and using the Dean's convening power to bring education, workforce, and system leaders together around shared solutions.
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Strengthen international collaboration sharing knowledge, learning from partners overseas, and ensuring the UK remains a global leader in psychiatric education and training.
Be a Real Ally to Every Psychiatrist
The College should not just exist in the abstract. It should be felt as a practical ally in the working lives of every psychiatrist whether they are a core trainee struggling with rota gaps, a higher trainee wondering about academic opportunities, an SAS doctor seeking career progression, or a consultant working in a struggling service.
As Dean, I will:
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Prioritise trainee wellbeing and mentorship building on what works, addressing what doesn't, and making the Dean's office genuinely accessible to the profession.
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Champion equity in training with specific, structured support for international medical graduates, SAS doctors, and less-than-full-time trainees, who too often navigate the system without adequate scaffolding.
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Strengthen CPD and career development making high-quality learning genuinely accessible, not contingent on geography, grade, or employer budget.
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Listen to frontline psychiatrists because the College's policies and guidance are only as good as their connection to the daily reality of clinical work.
We are in a period of genuine strain for psychiatric training. Workforce shortages are deepening. Trainee wellbeing is under pressure. The curriculum must evolve to reflect digital psychiatry, biomarkers, and new diagnostic and treatment approaches without losing the clinical formulation skills that define our specialty. International medical graduates, SAS doctors, and less-than-full-time trainees need a College that actively champions their development.
As someone who has been an IMG, a trainer, an educational leader, a medical director, and a faculty chair I have stood in all of those shoes. I understand the structural barriers, the cultural pressures, and the practical solutions. I am ready to lead on it.
My leadership style is compassionate, structured, and delivery-focused. I listen first, plan carefully, and act with purpose. . I believe in clear priorities, honest accountability, and getting things done.
Education & Training
"Education and training have been central to my career. I strongly believe that the future of psychiatry and our profession depends on how well we support, develop, and empower the next generation of doctors."
As Director of Medical Education at North East London Mental Health Trust (2011–2018), I
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Established and transformed the medical education department into one of the well recognised and progressive department in the region and
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Developed the first mental health simulation training facility in East London and
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Introduced educational fellowship programmes which was one of the first such programme in London where I have supervised over 10 Fellows in medical education over the years.
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Developed the London HEE IMG induction package and website resource.
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Established the NELFT conference unit in the medical education department.
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Set up the First Summer School for School students in the region aspiring for studying Medicine.
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First Simulation Training programme for Induction of Trainees starting Psychiatry training.which was then adopted into other mental health trusts in London.
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Introduced the lived in experience experts into Simulation training ( 2013) which has now been widely adopted.
I was also the SAS tutor at NELFT and
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Implemented the SAS charter
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Set up the CESR programme for SAS doctors
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Set up and Chaired the North London SAS tutors group to develop the educational support for SAS doctors in North London and also to share good practice
I was also the Trust tutor for Foundation trainees
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Set up and Ran the Weekly teaching programme for Foundation trainee
Through my work in different Educational lead roles and my roles within the Royal College of Psychiatrists, I have focused on
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strengthening training environments,
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supporting clinical and educational supervisors,
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and creating opportunities for resident doctors to develop both clinical excellence, research and leadership skills.
I have developed a strong interest in workforce capacity building
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ensuring we train, retain, and support enough psychiatrists to meet the growing needs of our patients.
For me, investing in education is not only about training individuals, but about building a confident, skilled, and sustainable workforce for the future of psychiatry.
IMG support & induction
Organised the First Joint GMC-HEE, conference for international medical graduates and developed a structured
Supported the creation of a digital tool to capture and improve junior doctors’ experiences in mental health trusts, informing local and regional improvements.
Leadership development
Co-designed leadership programmes for psychiatrists and multidisciplinary teams, supporting clinicians to lead service improvement and transformation projects.
Older adult service transformation
Chaired transformation groups and contributed to national workstreams focused on improving access, integration, and quality in older adult mental health services.
Simulation in mental health NELFT
Helped establish one of the first dedicated mental health simulation centres in East London, enhancing experiential learning for trainees and staff.
“Breaking Down the Barriers”E-learning programme
Developed an e-learning programme focused on improving understanding of mental and physical health and reducing stigma across services.
As Associate Director for Postgraduate Medical Education at UCLPartners,
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I was Responsible for the training needs of over 2,000 trainees across multiple specialties ( including non Psychiatric ) in North London region.
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I Chaired regional education board and was member of the London Deanery Education board.
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Set up and Chaired the North London Psychiatric Simulation training network.
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Established and ran the UCLPartners NHS Leadership programme for middle managers and specialist Resident doctors.
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Chaired the development and implementation of joint HEE, UCLP e-learning programme "Breaking down the Barriers"
RCPsych work
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CASC Examiner
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Member of the International congress committee (2016-18)
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Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry
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Academic Secretary (2020-2022)
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Finance Officer (2022-24)
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Chair ( 2024- )
As Chair of the Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, I have successfully led development of a four-year strategy, focusing on the UK old age psychiatry workforce and addressing inequalities in access to memory services for ethnic elders. My tenure has strengthened collaborations with other faculties and organizations, while also supporting educational initiatives for medical students and resident doctors. Additionally, I have promoted the development of new CPD modules and supported the International Diploma in Old Age Psychiatry, enhancing excellence in older adult mental health care and training.
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Started the Travel fellowship for new consultants
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Started the Old age Faculty Scholar Scheme for higher trainees.
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Strengthened international collaborations (Europe, Middle East, India)
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Developing CPD modules for the College e-learning resources
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National survey on Access to care by Ethnic elders to Memory services
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Leading on the Old age Psychiatry Work project
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Faculty webinar series for Resident doctors.
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Free places for the medical students and resident doctors at Conferences.
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Represented College responses at NICE and national policy forums
RCPsych Psychiatric Trainer of the year 2015.
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Psychiatric Trainer of the Year , Royal college of Psychiatrists, 2015
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KMPT award for contribution to medical education 2023
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Shortlisted to Royal College of Psychiatrist’s London division award for contribution to care during Covid 2022.
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Make the difference award at NELFT 2016
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Best corporate team in NELFT 2013 and 2014 (medical education team)
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RCPsych international congress 2015; Best poster prize education category on “development and evaluation Doctor’s on call support App.
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”RCPsych international congress 2015: commendation prize in education category on" evaluation of simulation training in psychiatry”
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UCLP educational conference 2015: commendation in education category " Role of book club in education
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"RCPsych international congress 2016: 1st prize education category" development of a book club for medical students
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"National association for clinical tutors conference 2017: 1st prize for " Development of educational programme around Sepsis in NELFT
