MBE PhD (Hons) MSc MRCGP Visiting Professor, University of Sunderland MBBS BSc (Hons) DRCOG DFSRH PGCert MHSC

Dr Nikita Kanani MBE is an award-winning NHS leader, with two decades of experience working and leading in multiple complex and pressured environments spanning health, healthcare and politics. She is a GP in south-east London and Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, and part of the founding team, of Aneira Health, a state of the art, science driven women’s health system. 

Prior to this, as Deputy SRO of the NHS Covid Vaccination Programme, and National Medical Director (Primary Care) for NHS England, she negotiated the novel 5-year contract for primary care (worth more than £7.3B), navigated the covid pandemic response and led the national and local implementation of the largest and most complex vaccination programme in history. Prior to joining NHS England, she was Chief Clinical Officer of NHS Bexley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and has held multiple national leadership roles and Executive roles for organisations across the NHS.

Nikki’s roles in healthcare have supported the development of innovative models of care, with highly engaged clinical, patient and public leadership. She is passionate about reducing health inequalities, improving service provision and population wellbeing, and works with an undefended and authentic leadership style. As an experienced coach, adviser and keynote speaker, she offers reflections and advice on matters relating to wellbeing and burn out, careers and glass ceilings, and inclusion and health equity.

She is a member of The King’s Fund General Advisory Council, a Trustee at Guys and St Thomas’ Foundation, an expert adviser for Jamie Oliver (Good School Foods), a regular commentator on Sky News and a UK delegate to UN Women. Nikki has received numerous prestigious awards, including an MBE for services to Primary Care in 2017, and more recently ‘Professional of the Year’ at the Asian Awards 2023. She recently received an Honorary Doctor of Medicine from Sunderland University, and is a Visiting Professor at Sunderland University’s School of Medicine. 

With her sister she co-founded STEMMsisters, a social enterprise supporting young people to study science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine. She is a weightlifter and Reiki practitioner and enjoys being a mum to two children who are growing up too quickly.