BAPEN’s new Programmes Committee Chair
Sarah, can you explain your previous background in nutrition and dietetics?
I’m a qualified dietitian with over thirty years’ experience, having worked across acute hospital settings and specialised in nutrition in cardiac and thoracic medicine and surgery. Over the past 15+ years, I’ve also served as a lecturer and academic at London Metropolitan University, which has given me the privilege of educating and mentoring the next generation of nutrition and dietetic professionals. That mix of hands‑on clinical work and academic teaching really shapes how I approach care: practical, patient‑led, and always grounded in good evidence.
What made you apply for this role with BAPEN’s Programmes Committee?
I’ve been to many BAPEN Conferences, and the learnings, policies and research papers have influenced how I work and how I teach. So, this felt like a natural next step – a chance to connect the clinical evidence with the classroom and to give something back to an organisation that’s supported me for years. Chairing the Programmes Committee means I can help shape content that’s valuable, timely, and speaks to clinicians, academics, and students alike.
What are you most excited to contribute to in your new role?
Building new networks and keeping the momentum going. I’m excited to reach new audiences, make the programme inclusive across disciplines and career stages, and help ensure the Conference stays sustainable and successful year after year. In practice, that looks like thoughtful planning, plenty of collaboration, and sessions that turn into real improvements for patients back on the ward.
How has BAPEN supported you, your colleagues or your patients during your career?
Nutrition and dietetics never stands still – you’re only as good as what you’ve just learned. BAPEN has always helped make sense of the complexity, with clear, evidence‑based guidance that we can effectively implement. It’s supported me, my colleagues, and my students to stay current, sharpen our clinical judgement, and bring clarity to tricky decisions so patients get the best possible care.
What does Pete Turner’s legacy mean to you as you step into this role?
I’ve known Pete a long time, and working with him has been a joy. His blend of clinical and professional excellence – paired with a warm, approachable style – is exactly what makes a conference memorable. As Programmes Committee Chair, I’d like to carry that forward: high standards, a friendly, collegial atmosphere, and a Conference people leave feeling inspired, connected, and better equipped to deliver outstanding care.
