Suman Fernando psychiatrist, academic and writer Suman was a consultant psychiatrist in the British National Health Service for over twenty years until the mid-1990s . Since then, he has been an academic, a lecturer, a writer and an advisor on mental health practice and service provision. He was a member of the Mental Health Act Commission until 1995. He chaired its National Standing Committee on Race and Culture. He is now involved in voluntary organisations (NGOs) providing mental health services in UK for people from minority ethnic & 'racialised' groups such as asylum seekers in the UK. He also works with NGO’s in Sri Lanka. Suman has published extensively. His latest book is called Institutional Racism in Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology (Palgrave 2017).

Doctor Steve Gillard Dr Steve Gillard is Reader in Social and Community Mental Health in the Population Health Research Institute at S George’s, University of London His current research focuses on the increasing role played by people with lived experience in producing the services that they use - the development of more distributed forms of mental health practice - including the introduction of new Peer Worker roles in mental health services. His other research explores experiential understandings of living with personality disorder, and self-management of long term physical and mental health conditions.

Dr Colin King Colin is the man behind today’s conference. As well as his work as a Social worker in Inner London, he has contributed extensively to academic work on race and mental health. Wearing yet another hat he is also Head Coach at Black and Asian Coaches association. He has been honoured by the Football Association, amongst others, for his pioneering role in this organisation . He is currently working on his new book: ‘They Diagnosed me a schizophrenic when I was just a Gemini.’

Jacqui Dyer Jacqui Dyer is a member of the founding team at Black Thrive. She also serves as the Chair of the Black Thrive Steering Committee. She is currently the vice-chair of England's Mental Health Taskforce. As an experienced counsellor, trainer, group facilitator, mental health service user, carer and elected local councillor representing Vassall Ward, Jacqui brings many insights to Black Thrive.