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Featured Speakers
Bringing together leaders in pharmacy and healthcare strategy, our speakers, Nick Makwana, Natalie Yerlett, Prof. Carina Venter, and Nirusha Govender share expert insights on the evolving role of pharmacy in supporting the NHS 10-Year Plan.
Prof. Nick Makwana
Consultant Paediatrician, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals
Professor Nick Makwana is a highly respected Consultant Paediatrician and paediatric allergy specialist based in Birmingham, UK, with over 25 years of clinical and academic experience. He is internationally recognised for his work at the intersection of paediatric gastroenterology, food allergy, immunology, and infectious disease, with a particular focus on improving care for children with complex allergy and gastrointestinal conditions.
Natalie Yerlett
Lead Dietitian, Great Ormond Street Hospital
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Natalie is a highly specialist paediatric registered dietitian with 20 years' experience at the highest clinical level and has a passion and dedication for helping infants, children and adolescents with gastrointestinal and dermatological disorders. Natalie is Head of Dietetics at one of the world's leading children's hospitals in London and leads by example, inspiring the next generation of dietitians. Natalie has a passion for research, regularly publishing, presenting and trying to find the answers to unanswered questions. Natalie is also proud to be a qualified supplementary prescriber.
Prof. Carina Venter
Professor of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado
Carina Venter is a Professor of Paediatrics, Section of Allergy/Immunology at the Children's Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, where she is conducting research in allergy prevention and working with children with food allergies. Dr. Venter obtained her B.Sc. Dietetics from the University of the Free State, South Africa and her PhD in Allergy and Immunology from the University of Southampton, UK. She is a registered dietitian in the UK and the United States. She has had publications in international journals, book chapters, and edited a book for the Health Professional's Guide to Nutrition Management of Food Allergies. She is a member of the FPIES guideline group. Dr. Venter is currently the chair of the EAACI work group on Immunomodulation and nutrition. Dr. Venter has received awards from American, British, European, South African and Canadian allergy and nutrition societies and academies for her contributions to the field of allergic diseases.
Nirusha Govender​​
Associate Director for Pharmacy Workforce, Medicines Quality & Safety, NHS England
Nirusha Govender is a national award-winning pharmacist and strategic senior health system leader with over 25 years of experience in clinical pharmacy, workforce transformation, medicines quality, safety and governance. A published author and recognised driver of service innovation, she brings expertise in strategic commissioning, workforce planning, policy development, and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) leadership. She serves as an expert advisor on national boards, shaping policy and driving system-wide improvements. At GPN, Nirusha contributes to a senior strategic advisory capacity, advancing evidence-based policy, cross-sector partnerships, and innovative workforce and governance solutions. A committed leadership coach and mentor, she is dedicated to fostering sustainable, equitable health outcomes through practical, scalable strategies.