The 18th Scottish Asian & Business Awards 2025, held at the Radisson Blu, Glasgow last week, shone a spotlight on the outstanding achievements of Scottish-Asian professionals and businesses.
This included the recognition of Mehvish Ashraf MRPharmS, Non-Executive Board Member of the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, as Medical Leader of the Year. This is a testament to her dedication, expertise, and impact on healthcare and the wider community.
With over 15 years’ experience as a pharmacist, she worked for an independent pharmacy company with sites across Scotland, giving her valuable insight into the operational, contractual, and workforce challenges facing primary care contractors, as well as the interface between public services and independent providers.
Mehvish’s frontline experience in some of the most deprived communities in and around Glasgow, supporting people affected by addiction and ethnic minority communities has given her a strong, practical understanding of health inequalities and the importance of equitable, compassionate, person-centred care.
Her perspective, combining patient-facing care with senior management expertise, has been invaluable to the Board, where she serves as BME Champion, Co-Chair of the Staff Governance Committee, and a member of both the Finance, Planning and Performance Committee and the People Committee. She is also Vice Chair of the East Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board.
Reflecting on her journey to the Board, Mehvish said: “I wanted to influence health care at a much wider level from the standpoint of a pharmacy contractor as well as that from what communities are facing at the frontline be it challenges navigating the health service, health inequalities or the intersectionality that can compound those. I thought I could help the Board see things from a different perspective.”
The Scottish Asian & Business Awards celebrate the exceptional achievements of professionals whose dedication has enriched Scotland’s public, societal, cultural, and economic landscape. For Mehvish, the award was an unexpected but welcome surprise.
“I had no idea (I was nominated) until I got a call,” she said. “It was a very nice surprise, and it’s lovely to be recognised.
“It’s a nod to the efforts the Board has put towards improving visibility, putting anti-racism plans in place, and addressing health inequalities. We’re on a journey as a health board, and this is a sign we’re going in the right direction.”
As a woman from a diverse background, Mehvish recognises the importance of representation at the highest levels of healthcare leadership.
“There’s a stereotype of who would be on a board. I hope my presence shows that it’s possible for younger people, women, and those from diverse backgrounds to aspire to board level roles. You can’t be what you can’t see. It’s about the inspiration and aspiration. I would hope people take from this that they can be that leader too. It’s less about me and more about organisational change.”
Mehvish credits the collective progress of the Board and staff networks and is keen to thank the Chair and other Board members for their support.
Dr Lesley Thomson KC, Chair of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Mehvish’s recognition as Medical Leader of the Year is richly deserved and reflects not only her personal dedication and expertise, but also the values we strive for as a Board, equity, compassion, and representation.
“Her voice has been instrumental in shaping our approach to tackling health inequalities and promoting diversity in leadership. This award is a testament to the positive impact she has had on our organisation and the communities we serve.”
Mehvish’s leadership continues to drive system-level change, championing equity, compassion, and visibility for all communities. As the Scottish Asian & Business Awards highlight, her story is not just one of personal achievement, but of hope and progress for the entire sector.
