Some leaders are shaped by position. Others by purpose.
Dame Robina Shah leads with compassion, courage, and deep humanity guided not by status, but by a lifelong commitment to inclusion, kindness, and the power of community.
Her journey begins in Manchester rooted in community, shaped by culture, and inspired by her parents’ belief in the power of unity to understand, uplift, and inspire others. That belief became her life’s purpose: to help build systems of care that truly serve those too often overlooked.
For over 30 years, Robina has reshaped how we think about education, health, and justice always placing people before policy. She has championed the rights of disabled children, influenced national NHS strategies, and driven meaningful change across academia, sport, and public life.
She became the first woman of colour to serve as the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester and was appointed Deputy Lieutenant in 2006. In 2023, she was honoured as a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for her services to patient care. In 2025, she joined the Board of Directors at Oldham Athletic (2004) Association Football Club Limited, bringing her values of inclusion and community to the heart of football and youth opportunity.
But ask Robina what matters most, and she will tell you: “Helping people feel seen, valued, and heard.”
As the founding Chair of The Dame Robina Shah Foundation, she brings more than experience, she brings her whole self: warm, wise, and steadfast in her belief that every young person deserves a fair chance to thrive. She is deeply committed to working in partnership and collaboration, ensuring that young people are not just supported, but empowered as co-curators, co-designers, and co-leaders in shaping their own futures.
We are proud to be guided by a leader who reminds us that kindness is strength, and that lasting change begins with empathy, trust, and shared hope.