A hospital director has won a national award for his inspiring career development and support of the podiatry profession.
Prof Ganesh Baliah, Director of Allied Health Professions at University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, won the Podiatry Career Champion category at the Royal College of Podiatry Awards 2026.
Allied Health Professions include podiatrists, dietitians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers, speech and language therapists, operating department practitioners, prosthetists, and orthotists.
He was nominated by two consultant podiatric surgeons and two leading academics from Leeds and Southampton universities for his support of the profession.
“Finding out I had been nominated, and then made it to the Royal College finals, was a great surprise. I did know something was going on though because my colleagues had asked for a copy of my CV.”
He attended the finals on June 12 at the Royal Institution in Mayfair, London.
“I was then even more surprised and emotional when I was announced as the winner, particularly given how much of a contribution the other finalists had made.”
Ganesh has worked in podiatry and podiatric surgery for 16 years and maintains his clinical registration. He has also taken on leadership roles, including Clinical Fellow for Health Education England and Regional Head of Associated Healthcare Professions for the Midlands and East of England.
Other achievements include becoming Chief of Allied Health Professions for Suffolk and North-East Essex Integrated Care Board, an Honorary Professorship from the University of Essex, and working as a Non-Executive Director of Milton Keynes Hospital. He became Director of Allied Health Professions at University Hospitals of Northamptonshire in 2024.
“My main focus has been transformation of the Allied Health Professions workforce in ways that champion the professions. I have also been deeply involved in the education of the workforce and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.”
Robin Binks, Interim Chief Nurse at University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, said: “We are delighted that Ganesh, and his amazing work over so many years, has been recognised at the Royal College of Podiatry’s annual national awards. He has been a truly inspirational champion of allied health professionals and has done a lot to encourage career development and education at the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.”
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