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Council Member: Byron Batten
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Byron Batten

Position: NED - EDI

Who am I

I have worked in social and racial justice for many years. I am the Head of Inclusion-Improvement at University Hospitals Birmingham and worked for Birmingham City Council in organisational and leadership development before them.

My journey with respiratory health began when I met Max Thomas (ARTP Workforce Chair) and learned of my connection with this specialist area, having undergone a series of diagnostic tests for sleep apnoea over the last six years. This personal experience gave me firsthand insight into the critical role of respiratory technology and its impact on patients' lives. It fostered an appreciation for ARTP's work advancing respiratory care and technology.

I also had the benefit of delivering a presentation at your strategy day event focused on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), which gave me insight into the positive journey being taken and what value I could offer.

A bit about me

I've always been fascinated by human behaviour, how our beliefs and thoughts are shaped, and how these, in turn, influence the people around us and the environments in which we work. As a dyslexic thinker, this curiosity runs even more profound.

My unique cognitive approach, often called my "superpower," allows me to excel in visualising, reasoning, and creative problem-solving. This non-typical way of thinking enhances my ability to empathise, lead with integrity, and truly listen, which is essential to fostering inclusive and equitable workplaces.

I have experience leading committees and programmes focusing on equity, diversity, and inclusion, and I have recently been the EDI theme lead for the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre. I was also the EDI Leadership workstream lead for Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System's EDI Strategy.

On a personal note, I'm navigating the part-time "empty nest" phase of life with four adults who keep coming back - and a bike that's here to stay. Speaking of the bike, I've caught the cycling bug and can't get enough! By the time you read this, I'll have completed the London to Brighton ride, adding it to June's Wolverhampton to Aberdovey run, which was my longest ride yet.

What would you like to achieve in your role?

Previously, I had the opportunity to be a board member of the Afro-Caribbean Millennium Centre, a grassroots community organisation, and Citysave Credit Union. Both of these organisations are dedicated to promoting equity and fair access, particularly in areas of race, class, and socioeconomics, which are causes close to my heart.

Bringing what I've learned from these experiences into this space where I can support and develop how ARTP works and, most importantly, impact the patients we serve.