Diabetes leaders named among UK’s most influential ethnic minority figures in healthcare

Two leading figures whose work has helped shape diabetes research, prevention and care have been recognised in a prestigious list of the UK’s most influential Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in health.

Professor Kamlesh Khunti CBE, an internationally renowned type 2 diabetes researcher at the University of Leicester, and Louise Ansari, former Director of Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes at Diabetes UK, have both been named in the Health Service Journal’s (HSJ) 2026 list of  the 75 most influential Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in health.

Their inclusion recognises two careers that have helped advance the understanding, prevention and management of type 2 diabetes, as well as efforts to tackle inequalities in healthcare.

Professor Khunti, who is Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester, has spent much of his career investigating type 2 diabetes and why people from some ethnic minority communities experience disproportionately poor health outcomes.

He is Co-Director of the internationally recognised Leicester Diabetes Centre and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands.

His research has helped build understanding of diabetes risk, improve care for people living with long-term conditions and highlight inequalities affecting ethnic minority populations.

Louise Ansari, who is now a Non-Executive Director at NHS England, has also been recognised on the HSJ list.

During her time at Diabetes UK, she held the role of Director of Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes, contributing to the charity’s work to raise awareness of the condition and the importance of prevention.

Professor Khunti’s work has extended beyond diabetes research. As Director of the Centre for Ethnic Health Research, he has played a prominent role in investigating the barriers and inequalities that affect access to healthcare and health outcomes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was among the first researchers to identify the disproportionate impact of the virus on people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

His expertise subsequently contributed to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), helping inform the national response to the pandemic.

Reacting to his inclusion in the HSJ list, Professor Khunti said: “It is a tremendous honour to be recognised by the Health Service Journal alongside so many inspirational leaders who are making a real difference to health and care across the country.

“Throughout my career, I have been passionate about improving outcomes for people living with cardiometabolic conditions and addressing the inequalities that continue to affect ethnic minority communities.

“This recognition reflects the dedication and hard work of the many talented colleagues and collaborators I have had the privilege of working with at NIHR ARC East Midlands, the University of Leicester, the Leicester Diabetes Centre and the Centre for Ethnic Health Research.

“There is still much more to do to ensure everyone has access to high-quality healthcare, regardless of their background, and I hope this recognition helps to shine a light on the importance of research in creating a fairer and more equitable health and care system.”

Alongside his diabetes research, Professor Khunti is Co-Theme Lead for Data Innovation for Multiple Long-term Conditions and Ethnic Health at the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre and Co-Theme Lead for Populations at the British Heart Foundation Leicester Centre of Research Excellence.

His work has earned numerous national and international awards, including previous recognition in the HSJ’s 2023 list of the 50 most influential Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in health.

In 2022, he was also named among Britain’s 101 Most Influential Asians in the GG2 Power List.

University of Leicester President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah praised his contribution.

He said: “Professor Khunti is a highly dedicated individual whose commitment to addressing the unique health challenges faced by ethnic minority communities is widely recognised. He epitomises all that the University of Leicester seeks to be as a Citizen of Change, making real-life differences to patients here and across the globe.”

The HSJ 2026 list also includes London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and surgeon and healthcare innovator Lord Ara Darzi.