Lunch with a Leader: meet influential alumni shaping healthcare and public services

Ever wanted to ask a senior leader how they built their career, navigated big decisions, or made real-world impact? Lunch with a Leader gives UoB students the chance to do exactly that – over lunch, in small groups, with some of the University’s most influential alumni.

Two exciting sessions are coming up in March 2026, featuring senior figures working at the highest levels of healthcare and public service in the UK and internationally.

Raffaela Goodby – Chief People Officer, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Wednesday 4 March 2026

Raffaela is Chief People Officer at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Charity and a Founding Member and Trustee of Aston University STEM Multi Academy Trust. She brings over two decades of experience in people leadership, culture and organisational development, having held senior roles across the public sector, including at Birmingham City Council and NHS England.

She was recently recognised by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) as one of the world’s top 30 HR leaders for her work on miscarriage leave reform and for creating the Universal Family Programme, which has supported thousands of young care leavers into NHS careers.

Apply to meet Raffaela.

 Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard – National Chief Medical Officer, Health New Zealand 

Wednesday 18 March 2026

Dame Helen is the National Chief Medical Officer for Health New Zealand, where she has led the country’s healthcare system since November 2024. An internationally respected clinician and academic, her career spans frontline healthcare delivery, national policy leadership, medical education and charitable governance.

She previously held senior leadership roles within the NHS and has been widely recognised for her contributions to general practice and health system reform. Her work focuses on strengthening public services, improving patient outcomes and shaping healthcare systems at scale, making this session particularly valuable for students interested in clinical leadership, health policy, governance and careers that bridge medicine and academia.

Apply for lunch with Dame Helen.

Places are limited so apply now to grab this opportunity!