Birte Harlev-Lam OBE, a nationally respected leader in maternity and neonatal care, has been announced as the new Independent Chair of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Maternity and Neonatal Improvement Programme Board.
With over 40 years’ experience transforming services across the NHS, she brings expert leadership, a clear vision, and a deep commitment to safe, equitable, and compassionate care.
The Board has been set up to reinforce the Trust’s commitment to delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care for women and babies across the region and Birte’s career spans clinical, executive, and non-executive leadership roles at local, regional, and national levels. She will provide independent leadership, strategic oversight, and constructive challenge to drive sustainable improvement across maternity and neonatal services at the Trust.
Her professional achievements include Executive Director Midwife at the Royal College of Midwives, where she led national initiatives such as the decolonising midwifery curriculum toolkit and the perinatal mental health roadmap. She has also played a key role in nationally recognised safety programmes including the Avoiding Brain Injury in Childbirth (ABC) project and the Maternity and Neonatal Safety Quality Improvement Programme.
Birte has been Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and a Non-Executive Director at the Royal College of Midwives. She is also a trustee of Petals, a charity supporting parents through baby loss.
Rabina Tindale, Chief Nurse, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, says; “We are delighted to welcome Birte to lead our newly created Maternity and Neonatal Programme Board. Her extensive experience, particularly in transformational change and system-wide improvement, will be vital in helping us make the necessary changes following our recent reports from the Care Quality Commission and NHS England.”
Additional high-profile national roles, include NHS England’s National Maternity and Children’s Lead and clinical policy advisor to the Secretary of State. Birte is well known for championing the voices of women, families, and front-line clinicians.
Commenting on her appointment, Birte said: “I am inspired by the vision Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has set out—to tackle inequalities, elevate standards, and truly transform care for women and babies. I look forward to bringing independent leadership and collaborative energy to this vital work, ensuring the Board’s decisions are grounded in evidence, compassion, and the experiences of those we care for.”
This appointment marks a significant step in the Trust’s journey to deliver equitable, safe, and high-quality maternity and neonatal services, with independent oversight helping to maintain a strong focus on accountability and continuous improvement.