Sir Professor Patrick Vernon OBE FRHistS

 

Sir Professor Patrick Vernon OBE FRHistS is a nationally recognised campaigner, cultural historian, author, broadcaster, and public leader whose work over the past three decades has transformed debates on racial justice, health inequalities, cultural heritage, genealogy, and community empowerment.

 

Born and raised in Wolverhampton in the constituency once represented by Enoch Powell, Patrick remains proud of his roots and the contribution that migrant communities, particularly the Windrush Generation, have made to Britain. Their resilience, achievements, and legacy continue to shape his values, leadership, and commitment to social justice.

 

Awarded a Knighthood in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours for services to racial equality, Patrick is widely recognised as one of Britain’s leading advocates for social justice, health equity, and Black British history. He is best known as the architect of the campaign for a national Windrush Day and founder of the award-winning 100 Great Black Britons movement, which has transformed public understanding of Black British history and achievement.

 

Patrick is currently Pro-Chancellor for Health at the University of Wolverhampton, Chair of Hackney Thinking Spaces, Convenor of the Windrush 100 Network, Chair of the Windrush Memorial Anchor Foundation, and UK South Representative for the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council.

 

He previously served as Chair of NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (BSol ICB), becoming the first Non-Executive Director for Inequalities appointed to an Integrated Care Board in England. He is also a former Chair of Citizens’ Voice at the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB), former Chair of the Walsall Together Partnership Board, and former Non-Executive Director of Healthwatch England, Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust.

A Clore Fellow and Winston Churchill Fellow, Patrick is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Fellow of the Imperial War Museums. He has also been an Associate Fellow in the Department of History of Medicine at the University of Warwick.

 

Patrick has more than thirty years’ experience working across public health, mental health, heritage, race equality, and community development. He was a senior civil servant in the Public Health Division at the Department of Health, where he led work on health inequalities and community engagement. During this period, he was seconded to the Local Government Association as an adviser on health inequalities, supporting local authorities to address health disparities and improve population wellbeing.

 

His career has included senior leadership roles with Black Thrive, the Afiya Trust, MIND, the National Housing Federation, NHS England’s Equality and Diversity Council, Brent Health Action Zone, and the Centre for Ageing Better, where he served as Associate Director for Connected Communities. He also served as Independent Chair of Westminster Partnership for Race Equality, playing an important role in supporting relationships between communities and public services following the 7/7 bombings.

 

A former Hackney councillor between 2006 and 2014, Patrick has also served on ministerial advisory groups on mental health under both Labour and Coalition governments. Throughout his career he has worked across government, local authorities, the NHS, charities, and community organisations to promote health equity, social justice, and stronger community engagement.

 

Patrick is the founder of Every Generation Media and the award-winning 100 Great Black Britons campaign, which has inspired educational programmes, publications, exhibitions, films, and community projects across the UK and internationally. Widely recognised as one of Britain’s leading experts on African and Caribbean genealogy and family history, he has played a pioneering role in promoting Black British history, family history, and cultural heritage.

 

In 2020, he co-authored the bestselling book 100 Great Black Britons with Dr Angelina Osborne. In 2024, he co-authoredBlack Grief and Healing with Dr Yansie Rolston, a groundbreaking anthology exploring inequality, trauma, loss, and healing in Black communities.

 

Patrick is best known as the architect of the campaign for a national Windrush Day. Since 2010 he has led the movement to secure official recognition of the Windrush Generation and played a significant role in exposing the Windrush Scandal in 2018, helping to bring national attention to the injustices experienced by the Windrush Generation and contributing to major policy change.

 

In 2020, Patrick co-founded the Majonzi Fund, providing grants to families and community organisations to commemorate people from Black and racialised communities who died during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also developed the Windrush family history board game in partnership with Focus Games.

 

Patrick is Patron of ACCI, Patron of Nafyisat, and Patron of the Enfield Caribbean Association. He is a former Patron of Santé and former Vice Chair of the Bernie Grant Trust. He is also a Trustee of British Future and a member of the Church Commissioners’ Oversight Group on Reparations and Healing.

 

His achievements have been widely recognised. Patrick was awarded an OBE in 2012 for services to tackling health inequalities among ethnic minority communities and received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Wolverhampton for his contribution to public service, migration history, genealogy, and equalities.

 

Recognised as one of Britain’s leading campaigners, Patrick has been named by British Vogue as one of Britain’s most influential campaigners, included in the Powerlist of Britain’s most influential Black people, and recognised by the Health Service Journal as one of the most influential Black, Asian and minority ethnic leaders in healthcare.

 

A sought-after keynote speaker, broadcaster, and commentator, Patrick regularly contributes to national and international discussions on health, heritage, race, migration, genealogy, ageing, leadership, and social justice.

Connect with Patrick

Website: www.patrickvernon.org

100 Great Black Britons: www.100greatblackbritons.co.uk

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/patrickvernonobe

 

Speaking Engagements

 

Patrick is available for keynote speeches, conferences, leadership programmes, panel discussions, facilitation, media appearances, and corporate events. His speaking topics include Windrush, racial justice, Black British history, leadership, genealogy, cultural heritage, health inequalities, ageing, community engagement, and social change.

 

For speaking enquiries and bookings:

 

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