The Speakers

Dean Rogers

Dean Rogers, has been the Executive Director of Industrial Strategy & Member Relations at the Society of Radiographers since late 2019, leading the union arm of the SoR. Dean sits as a member of the TUC General Council, where he also acts as a General Council observer to their Race Relations Committee. He is also a member of the NHS Pension Scheme Board, and the separate Scheme Advisory Board.

He is the SoR lead on the NHS Joint Council, made up of leaders from employers and staff representatives, and is a prominent voice on the NHS Social Partnership Forum. In all of these arenas, he has forged a reputation for pragmatic but constructive challenge, especially in relation to support for new professionals and international recruits joining the UK workforce; fair, safe and accessible pay and pension processes; and accountable leadership across all areas of health and social care.

Dean also a Director of Unions21 – the research and think tank for unions with global reach, promoting excellence in member representation and engagement based upon understanding how work is changing. Dean is a recognised thought leader in union

organisation and change.

Prior to joining the SoR, Dean was Assistant General Secretary of Napo, the union for probation and family courts staff, for six of the most challenging years in their history, with Government reforms impacting all aspects of their members work. He led Napo’s industrial relations work after the introduction of probation reforms; all aspects of their work in Family Courts; and their internal review of all aspect of Napo’s work. This included co-ordinating their all staff Leadership and Culture Change programme and their successful Representative Engagement and Training Programme. Dean puts much of his success down to being dyslexic and dyspraxic, which allows him to view problems and situations in a different way.

Prabha Vijayakumar

Prabha Vijayakumar is the Chief Allied Health Professions Information Officer at NHS England and a registered Occupational Therapist with over 25 years of leadership experience. She has a distinguished track record of driving complex business transformations, operational excellence, and tackling health inequalities across clinical, health, and care services.

In her national role, Prabha focuses on enhancing Allied Health Professions (AHP) leadership in informatics, ensuring their involvement in mainstream clinical informatics programmes, and advancing a cohesive AHP digital strategy. Her work supports system-wide alignment while building a career framework for AHP professionals specialising in informatics.

Prabha’s extensive experience spans provider, ICB, regional, and national levels, with expertise in workforce management, equality initiatives, transformation, operational leadership, and programme delivery. A strategic thinker and effective communicator, she combines clinical insight with digital innovation to deliver impactful solutions.

Recognised for her ability to build collaborative relationships and drive performance, Prabha provides leadership across AHP workstreams, leveraging data and healthcare trends to inform strategies. Her passion for transformation and her dedication to improving digital and clinical integration place her at the forefront of shaping the future of AHP contributions to health and care services.

Deepak Agnihotri

Deepak is an accomplished and values-driven Director of Allied Health Professionals, bringing extensive clinical and healthcare leadership experience gained across diverse NHS settings, including physical and mental health services, and informed by his personal experience as a Carer. A Health and Care Professions Council registered physiotherapist and advanced clinical practitioner, Deepak's journey began as a volunteer and has encompassed roles in primary and secondary care, national advisory positions at NHS England (including the Learning Disability and Autism programme and the Chief AHP Officer BAME Strategic Advisory Group), and as a Training Programme Director. Currently leading AHPs at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Deepak is deeply committed to patient safety, quality improvement, and fostering staff wellbeing and development across clinical practice, education, leadership, and research, advocating for a culture of openness and diverse leadership as crucial for a thriving NHS delivering person-centred care.

Malany Kalicharan

Malany Kalicharan is an experienced diagnostic radiographer with over 20 years in the NHS. Having qualified in South Africa, her career spans a wide range of imaging services, gradually stepping into strategic and leadership roles. Her diverse portfolio includes, Superintendent Radiographer, Project Lead, Workforce Planning and Development Manager and International Recruitment Lead. Malany currently works as the Work and Health Integration Programme Manager at Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Integrated Care Board (ICB). She is also Deputy Chair of the Chief Allied Health Professions Office (CAHPO) Black, Asian Minority Ethnic Strategic Advisory Group, contributing to national Allied Health Professions leadership and direction.

Malany will share her personal journey as an international radiographer, reflecting on the professional and personal resilience it takes to adapt and thrive in a new healthcare system. With a focus on the power of passion and purpose, she will explore how radiographers and AHPs can harness their unique skills to pursue a broad range of opportunities, from clinical practice to strategic leadership. Her talk will offer insight into overcoming challenges, embracing change, and championing innovation within an ever-evolving health and care landscape.

Shamie Kumar

A highly experienced Diagnostic Radiographer with over 15 years of clinical expertise spanning all areas of radiography, graduating from City University London in 2009. My ongoing professional development includes advanced qualifications in Leadership, Management, Counselling, and a PGC in Biomedical Science. In my current role Senior Director, Clinical Specialist in Artificial Intelligence in Radiology, I play a key role in shaping the future of the field. I contribute to AI advisory boards, lecture at universities, and lead multi-site research studies, where I am recognised as an expert at the intersection of radiology and artificial intelligence.

Jan Alappadan Paul

“With over two decades of experience in radiography, Jan has cultivated a multifaceted career that spans clinical practice, specialist applications, and cutting-edge research. His professional journey began in diagnostic imaging and has evolved through roles as an Application Specialist, Senior Radiographer, and Lead Radiographer. For the past 11 years, Jan has served as a Research Radiographer at the Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre (SPMIC), a pioneering interdisciplinary centre dedicated to advancing experimental and translational medical imaging.

At SPMIC, he works alongside a diverse team of researchers, clinicians, and scientists, contributing to the development and application of novel imaging techniques across a range of disciplines including psychology, gastrointestinal research, sports medicine, nutrition, and hearing science. Jan's work is deeply embedded in translational research, with experience in hyperpolarized gases and pyruvates, which are instrumental in exploring new frontiers in metabolic imaging.

Throughout his career, Jan have operated a broad spectrum of MRI systems, from low-field 0.5T scanners to ultra-high-field 7T systems, including both conventional and open magnet designs. This technical versatility, combined with a strong collaborative ethos, has enabled him to support groundbreaking research initiatives that push the boundaries of what is possible in medical imaging.

Afra Sulfikher

Afra Sulfikher is an accomplished medical imaging professional with over 14 years of experience across the UK and international healthcare systems. Currently serving as the Pan-Trust CT Service Lead at United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, she oversees one of the largest diagnostic imaging teams in the region, which involves operations of the modality in acute as well as community diagnostic centres across the beautiful countryside of Lincolnshire. Afra holds postgraduate qualifications in CT Head Reporting Advance Practice from Birmingham City University and a Master’s in Medical Imaging from the University of Edinburgh. Her diverse clinical and operational expertise spans multiple imaging modalities, with a special interest in cross-sectional imaging, governance, workforce development and operations management.

Afra is particularly passionate about supporting internationally trained radiographers navigating the complexities of UK radiographic practice. Having worked across the UAE, India, and the NHS, she brings a unique global perspective on the communication and cultural challenges facing new staff, and the systemic gaps that can lead to serious practice errors. An experienced speaker and educator, Afra has previously presented at Arab Health Congress, UAE Cancer Congress, Society of Indian Radiographers and several UK-based professional forums. Her current presentation draws on real-world HCPC case studies and years of frontline management to explore how international radiographers can proactively strengthen their professional practice, avoid common pitfalls, and thrive in a high-stakes, high-standard UK radiology environment.’

Epiphania Muranda

Epiphania Muranda - A powerhouse in healthcare and beyond. Eppie is a dedicated health professional with a B.Sc. (Hons) in Diagnostic Radiography from Salford University, UK. She serves the NHS as an Advanced Practice Radiographer and Clinical Lead IR Radiographer, championing excellence in patient care and staff well-being. Beyond her clinical role, Eppie is a passionate advocate for health equity, mental health, diversity, and inclusion. She founded Inspirational WOMEN to Action CIC, a charity organisation empowering women and families, inspired by her personal and professional experiences.

An accomplished author, her book Down But Not Out offers hope to those facing grief, trauma, and silent struggles—drawing from personal loss during the COVID-19 pandemic and professional insight. A public speaker, career ambassador, and mentor, Eppie is a global voice for health equity, inclusion, mental well-being, and career empowerment, impacting lives across the UK, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, and many other countries. She has spoken at Trade Union conferences and Annual Delegates conferences and has organised many events within her community. She is known for her compassion, courage, and commitment to lifting others—earning her the nickname "Midwifety" for helping people discover purpose. Eppie is a true champion for change.

Married, a mother, and a proud grandmother, Eppie is a fearless voice against injustice and a tireless champion for health workers and the communities they serve.

Dolly Cox

Dolly Cox is a diagnostic radiographer who combines her role as Senior Lecturer at the University of Gloucestershire with her position as Superintendent Radiographer at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Following a career change from the arts, she qualified in 2016 and has since developed her practice across X-ray, CT, and MRI, alongside educational responsibilities and student placements across university partnerships. Dolly holds a BSc (Hons) in Diagnostic Imaging from UWE and is currently studying for an MSc in Clinical Education at the University of Edinburgh. As a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Professional Advocate, she has contributed to curriculum design, including her involvement in developing the BSc Diagnostic Radiography programme at the University of Gloucestershire.

A significant focus of her work has been supporting internationally educated radiographers transitioning to UK practice. Through her dual role, she has developed comprehensive support packages, mentorship programmes, and training resources specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by international colleagues. Her research interests centre on the experiences and educational needs of internationally educated radiographers and developing inclusive assessment approaches in higher education. She has presented this work at UKIO conferences, sharing findings on effective collaboration between universities and NHS Trusts to support international workforce integration. Through her ongoing quality improvement and professional advocacy work, she continues to explore ways to enhance support systems and promote inclusive practice environments.

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