We’re delighted to welcome Odeth Richardson as our 21st Chair of BAOT/BAOT Council. Odeth took over the reins from Professor Diane Cox, who stepped down after three years, at last night’s AGM.
Odeth will be a fantastic ambassador for our members and the occupational therapy profession. With her strategic and inspiring work across the occupational therapy profession, charities and advisory boards, she is ideally placed to champion and elevate the profession and help drive our new strategy forward.
Commenting on becoming Chair, Odeth said:
“I firstly want to say a huge thank you for the warm welcome and congratulatory messages I’ve received since being appointed as Chair. Over the next few months, I’m going to spend time listening so that I better understand what matters to you and how we can support you.
“My priority is to help reengage with members and ensure that equality and inclusion is at the heart of all the work we do for you. Every member has a crucial role to play and it's important that everyone, and I mean everyone, feels welcome and heard within our professional body.
“It is an exciting time to be an occupational therapist as we work towards our shared vision – that people everywhere value the life-changing power of occupational therapy. I’m looking forward to meeting with many of you in the months to come. Together we can make a huge difference.”
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.
A full biography of Odeth and details about all our Council members can be found here.
