New Non-Executive Directors bring extensive digital and innovation experience to Homerton

Homerton Healthcare has appointed Dr Shera Chok as a Non-Executive Director and Dr Rishi Das-Gupta as an Associate Non-Executive Director. They join the Trust as Mark Rickets prepares to step down from the Board at the end of his six-year term.

 

Shera is a GP by background and an experienced NHS digital and clinical leader. She is the Founder and Chair of the Shuri Network, which supports women from minority ethnic groups to develop as leaders in digital health and care. She is also a Non-Executive Director at London Ambulance Service NHS Trust, national lead for research in community settings at the NIHR and a former Chief Medical Officer at NHS Digital.

Rishi is Chief Executive of the Health Innovation Network South London. He has more than 20 years’ experience spanning medicine, healthcare leadership, innovation, technology and service redesign in the UK and US.

Their appointments will bring additional digital, clinical and innovation experience to the Board as Homerton delivers its Digital Plan for 2026 to 2031. The plan focuses on strengthening the Trust’s digital foundations, supporting clinical transformation, investing in people and skills, and designing services around the needs of patients and staff.

Mary Elford, Chair of Homerton Healthcare, said:

“I want to begin by thanking Mark for his significant contribution to Homerton over the past six years. He has brought deep clinical knowledge, a strong understanding of our local communities and a clear commitment to improving care. We are very grateful for his support, challenge and service to the Trust.

“I am delighted to welcome Shera and Rishi to our Board. They both bring exceptional experience of leading innovation and using technology to improve healthcare, as well as a strong understanding of the importance of bringing staff and patients with us through change.

“Digital is no longer an add-on to healthcare. It underpins how we improve access, safety, coordination and productivity. The insight and challenge that Shera and Rishi will bring will be enormously valuable as we deliver our new Digital Plan and use digital innovation to improve care and experience for our patients and staff.

Dr Shera Chok said:

“I am delighted to be joining Homerton Healthcare, an organisation with strong local roots and a proud history of innovation. Digital transformation works best when it is shaped with the people who provide and receive care, and when it improves safety, access and experience for everyone.

“I look forward to working with colleagues, patients, communities and Board members to support Homerton’s ambitions, champion inclusive digital leadership and ensure that innovation helps to reduce, rather than widen, health inequalities.”

Dr Rishi Das-Gupta said:

“I am very pleased to be joining Homerton at such an important point in its digital journey. Technology can help transform care, but its value comes from how successfully it is adopted and used to solve real problems for patients and staff.

“I look forward to bringing my experience of innovation, digital transformation and service redesign to the Board, and to supporting the Trust as it turns its plans into practical improvements across hospital and community services.”

Shera and Rishi will take up their roles on Monday 2 November.