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Group Aim

To support EDI & B in procurement and supply chain to deepen the understanding of differences and support each other by promoting individuality and embracing everyone to remove the barriers to equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging across the NHS and have zero tolerance approach to any acts of discrimination or unfair treatment.

 

Vision

Our vision is that HCSA is recognised as a great organisation to work with, where all members feel valued, included, and able to work to the best of their ability, without any real or perceived barriers in their way.

The aim of this group is to improve equality, diversity, and inclusion, and to enhance the sense of belonging for HSCA members. For these purposes we will refer to the protected characteristics as defined in the Equality Act 2010.

Ensuring staff work in an environment where they feel they belong, enabling them to safely raise concerns and ask questions is essential for staff morale and in turn, leads to improved patient care and outcomes.

This can only be done by treating people equitably and without discrimination.

HCSA will create an inclusive, diverse, and accessible environment where it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure our members are treated with fairness, dignity and respect and have a true sense of belonging.

An inclusive culture improves retention and supports growth and ensures nobody is left behind.


Role of the group

This group will support the deepening of understanding of differences to develop an organisational culture that is respectful and inclusive diverse and creates a true sense of belonging for all of its stakeholders. This group will celebrate difference, increase awareness of differences, empower people to bring their full self, and remove barriers that prevent or inhibit.

Key areas:

  • Link to Health Inequality
  • Understanding the different aspects of EDI
  • Celebrate and develop an organisational culture that values difference.
  • Deepens understanding of Intersectionality.
  • Compliant with The Equality Act
  • Modern Slavery prevalence throughout our supply chain and how we can tackle it.
  • Link to economic inequalities.
  • Link to health and wellbeing.

Key goals:

  • Challenge and work to drive change which positively impacts the EDI & B issues faced within Healthcare Procurement and Supply Chain.
  • A platform to channel key messages to local, regional, and national organisations relevant to the group’s aims and objectives.
  • Identify new opportunities to support transformational change.
  • A forum to exchange information, experiences and lessons learned. A platform to discuss key issues and opportunities.
  • Offer learning and development e.g., how to enable equality, diversity inclusion, & belonging within NHS Procurement and Supply Chain.
  • The EDI & B Team – For all members of the group to be an advocate of equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
  • To deepen understanding of EDI &B in NHS Procurement and Supply Chain.
  • Strive to embed that EDI & B becomes business as usual in NHS Procurement and the Supply Chain.

Open Forum



Launch podcast



To join the group email admin@nhsprocurement.org.uk with subject heading Join EDI&B.



Close Member
Tom Plater - Chair

Tom Plater - Chair


Following graduating from Swansea University with an economics degree, Tom started off his NHS career at the Royal Berkshire Hospital as a receptionist at eye casualty during the summer of 2020 during the Covid19 pandemic. He ended the year working as a senior business analyst at RUH Bath before embarking on a Masters in Management with Henley Business School. He then decided to return to the NHS to join Guys and St Thomas to undergo a sourcing manager apprenticeship in 2022, before being promoted to a sourcing manager in the summer of 2023. In 2023, Tom participated in the HCSA procurement development programme and was delighted to be honoured with the Lord Phillip Hunt Award as the best overall candidate. Armed with an optimistic spirit, he eagerly anticipates immersing himself in his role and contributing to the success of the HCSA.

Gaadha Jayaprakash - Deputy Chair

Gaadha Jayaprakash - Deputy Chair

Deputy Chair


After graduating with an MBA from Sheffield Hallam University in Dec 2023, I began my NHS career in 2024 as Coordinator of the Infectious Diseases Department at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. This role gave me early insight into the operational and clinical environment of the NHS and sparked my interest in procurement and system improvement.

I now work with NHS Supply Chain as the Implementation and Adoption Manager for South of England, supporting NHS trusts with the delivery and adoption of National Programmes and initiatives. My role involves working closely with trusts to support implementation, engagement and continuous improvement across the system.

In 2025, I participated in the HCSA Procurement Development Programme (PDP) which further strengthened my interest in leadership development within the profession. I now serve as Deputy Chair of the HCSA Future Leaders Network.

Through the Future Leaders Network, I am focused on creating opportunities for learning, collaboration and leadership development while ensuring early career professionals have a voice in shaping the future of NHS procurement.

 

Kimberley Kay

Kimberley Kay


Kimberley Kay is a procurement professional working within the NHS, currently specialising in Healthcare Services and Pharmacy as a Category Manager at NOE CPC. 

Since joining the NHS in 2020, she has progressed rapidly through several roles including Logistics Operative, E-Procurement Buyer, IT Procurement Assistant, Procurement Specialist, Procurement Manager, and Category Procurement Specialist. Her career journey reflects a strong commitment to professional development, collaboration, and delivering value.

In 2024, she completed the HCSA PDP and won the prestigious Lord Philip Hunt Award. The award recognises her dedication to learning, leadership potential, and contribution to the future of NHS procurement.


As a member of the HCSA Future Leaders Network, she is passionate about representing the next generation of NHS procurement professionals. She believes that future leadership within the NHS means embracing collaboration and diversity, championing ethical procurement, and driving strategic change that strengthens healthcare systems for patients, staff, and communities.


 

Michelle McCann

Michelle McCann

Chair


Michelle McCann, Chief Sustainability and Innovation Officer, NHS London Procurement Partnership (NHS LPP)  

Michelle McCann oversees the strategic direction for Sustainability, Social Value and Innovation at NHS LPP. She is responsible for leading the approach across NHS member trusts and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in London to enable them to support sustainability initiatives that will positively contribute to the delivery of NHS Net Zero target by 2040, and embed, track and measure social value in procurement activity to maximise the impact achieved for local communities.  

 Michelle is dedicated to educating and inspiring all to live greener. She specialises in engagement with stakeholders and customers by taking a collaborative approach – using appropriate consultation blended with defining practical needs. Working closely with London ICBs, anchor institutions, NHS London, the London Estates Delivery Board and others, in early 2022, she helped deliver a pan-London Social Value Tool for ICBs which is now tracking and reporting on the Social Value commitments made by suppliers through the procurement process, against the Social Value priorities for the region. 

 Prior to this, in addition to her role as Category Director for NHS LPP’s Estates, Facilities and Professional Services category, Michelle embedded a keen and growing interest in Sustainability and Social Value amongst staff, through the ‘Greener LPP’ initiative, which features regular campaigns and challenges to keep the topics at front of mind for staff.  

 Michelle has over 25 years’ experience working within public sector Estates teams. Before joining NHS LPP, she was Head of Procurement, Estates Contracts and Finance at Goldsmiths, University of London and prior to that worked as the Strategic Planning Manager in the Estates team at the Medical Research Council’s head office. 


Clare Nash

Clare Nash

Deputy Chair


Clare is a critical care nurse by trade and has been a clinical procurement nurse with a side order of sustainability since 2018.

She loves speaking about her favourite topic to anyone that will listen and supports the embedding of sustainability into nursing and midwifery care pathways through better product choices.