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Odeth Richardson to be new Chair of BAOT/RCOT Council

RCOT
09 May 2022

RCOT Chair Odeth Richardson

We are delighted to announce that Odeth Richardson has been elected as the new Chair of BAOT/RCOT Council in the recent ballot.

Odeth will become the 21st Chair of BAOT/RCOT Council when she takes over from Professor Diane Cox. Diane will step down at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday 30 June 2022 after three years.

Starting her career at Hillingdon Hospital, Odeth has been an occupational therapist for over 22 years. Currently, she is Head of Occupational Therapy at the Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Odeth is also a trustee of the Great North Children’s Hospital Foundation and a Critical Friend to Glasgow Caledonian and Northumbria Universities looking at improving the representation and experiences of underrepresented occupational therapy students.

Commenting on her election, Odeth said:
 
“I couldn’t be prouder to be elected by my peers as Chair of RCOT/BAOT Council. I know this is a huge responsibility. I look forward to representing members and working with Steve and Council to build on the fantastic work RCOT is doing and grow our future workforce. A membership body is only as strong as the sum of its members and my priority will be to promote equity and justice to ensure every member of RCOT feels heard and represented – and I mean every member. I will reengage with those who feel disengaged and help them regain their voices.”
 

RCOT Chief Executive Steve Ford said:

“Odeth will be a great ambassador for our members and the occupational therapy profession. Under our new vision, we want people everywhere to value the life-changing power of occupational therapy. With her strategic and inspiring work across the occupational therapy profession, charities and advisory boards, Odeth is ideally placed to champion and elevate the profession and help drive our new strategy forward.

“I thank Diane for all her work over the last three years. She has been a great role model for our members and given tremendous support to me since I joined RCOT. I also extend thanks to all the candidates. Your commitment to the profession is very much appreciated and I encourage you to continue to be involved with RCOT in the future.”

Odeth will start her one-year term on Thursday 30 June 2022 at our virtual AGM.

The full results of the ballot can be downloaded here.