Kate Smyth, Non-Executive Director of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, has been listed in the prestigious Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 2024.
Recognised for her work as a disability changemaker, Kate is being celebrated as one of the 100 most influential disabled individuals in the UK and a leader in their field. The awards are publicly nominated and judged by a panel of 25 disabled champions including international business leader Dr Shani Dhanda, Chief Executive of Paralympics GB, David Clark and Coronation Street actor Cherylee Houston.
Testimonies describe Kate as a transformative leader who has significantly advanced disability representation and advocacy across the NHS and beyond, Kate has been recognised for her impact, innovation and influence in changing the perceptions and stereotypes of disability.
Her roles span sectors and bring a powerful voice for disability equality.
She is a NED at the Trust, and Co-Chair of the Disabled NHS Directors Network (DNDN) - which she helped set up in 2020, while she is also a member of the Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB People Board, supporting the Belonging workstream, and Disability Advisor at the ICB.
Kate is also a Lay Leader at the Yorkshire and Humber Patient Safety Research Collaboration and a member of the Cabinet Office (Disability Unit) NW Regional Stakeholder Network, as well as a volunteer for Dogs for Good.
Through her leadership in DNDN, the network has helped to shape national NHS policies, champion inclusivity in recruitment practices, and launch mentoring and support initiatives for disabled leaders.
Kate’s influence is far-reaching, helping impact national policy, local NHS Trusts, and individual lives. She has directly affected diversity in NHS leadership by collaborating with headhunting firms to improve recruitment processes for disabled candidates and increasing the visibility of disabled leaders. Her dedication to inclusive practices is also evident in her development of resources such as the Good Practice Toolkit for disabled employee recruitment and a centralised assistive technology resource.
In addition to her strategic contributions, Kate is a mentor and advocate. She has inspired many within and beyond her network to challenge stereotypes, openly share their disabilities, and push for meaningful changes in workplace culture. Her work has driven substantial growth in the number of NHS board members who openly identify as disabled, fostering a culture of inclusion and empowerment.
Speaking about the recognition, Kate said: "I am deeply honoured to be named in the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 for 2024 alongside so many incredible changemakers. While it is great to be acknowledged, I certainly couldn’t have achieved what I have on my own – I have received invaluable support from numerous colleagues over many years.
“This recognition highlights the importance of creating an inclusive future, and I am committed to continuing my work as an advocate for positive change in the disability community."
National charity, Shaw Trust, runs the Disability Power 100 to raise the profile of disabled talent and challenge the disability employment gap head-on. Head of Disability Power 100, Alona De Havilland, says: “The Disability Power 100 is all about creating change, it celebrates ambition and achievement, and plays a role in challenging society’s perceptions of disability by recognising the strengths, contributions and successes of 100 disabled individuals each year.”
She continues “We all need role models. People who are pioneers and changemakers. This year we witnessed our Team GB Paralympians rightly celebrated for their elite athleticism, sporting prowess and determination to succeed. The Disability Power 100 celebrates disabled roles models with the same determination, expertise and ambition in all sectors from architecture to construction; finance to healthcare; transport to music. It is a rallying cry to future generations of leaders and a call for employers and society to recognise the talents and skills of disabled people.”
The full list of 2024 finalists can be found at www.disabilitypower100.com.
