Congratulations to Mrs Rakiya Suleiman, our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, who has been awarded an honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by His Majesty The King for her outstanding work supporting equality and inclusion.
The honour, announced in 2025 and formally presented earlier this summer, recognises Mrs Suleiman’s exceptional contribution to tackling racism, promoting equality and improving access to healthcare for both NHS staff and the communities we serve.
Throughout her career, Mrs Suleiman has been a passionate advocate for fairness, inclusion and anti-racism. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a pivotal role in bringing together NHS Scotland services and Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities to better understand barriers to healthcare. Her work helped ensure that local health services became more culturally aware and responsive to the diverse needs of patients and communities.
Mrs Suleiman has also provided invaluable support and advice to managers across NHS Lothian and NHS Scotland, helping organisations understand, acknowledge and take meaningful action to address racism and racial inequality. She was instrumental in establishing the NHS Lothian BME Staff Network, creating an important platform for support, representation and positive change.
Mrs Suleiman has also developed and championed mentoring programmes for BME staff and members of the wider community. Through her leadership, many individuals have been supported to develop their careers, build confidence and realise their potential.
Her commitment to creating inclusive workplaces extends through the anti-racism and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) workshops she develops and delivers across NHS Lothian. The impact of this work has been recognised nationally, and she regularly shares learning and best practice with organisations across the UK.
At the heart of Mrs Suleiman’s work is a deep commitment to humanity, compassion and engagement. She has a remarkable ability to bring people together, supporting those whose experiences of discrimination may have left them feeling unheard, hurt or excluded. Her leadership has been central to shaping NHS Lothian’s evolving anti-racism approach and influencing wider organisational strategy.
Colleagues describe Mrs Suleiman as a resilient and determined champion for equality, with a proven ability to navigate complex challenges while maintaining a clear focus on improving outcomes for staff and communities. Her work continues to play a vital role in building trust and confidence between the NHS and the diverse populations it serves.
Rakiya said: “I am incredibly honoured to receive this award. It recognises the importance of working together to tackle discrimination, champion equality and build a healthcare system where everyone feels respected, included and able to thrive.”
