Leanne Armitage

Leanne Armitage is a Medical Doctor at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, a published author, and a powerful voice for racial equality and diversity in the UK. Her journey is rooted in her lived experiences growing up in a single-parent household in South London, where exposure to street violence and a lack of professional role models inspired her determination to enter the medical profession. These formative challenges not only shaped her resilience but continue to fuel her passion for advocacy work. Today, Leanne is a speaker on a range of topics including discipline, youth development, adapting to change, resilience, and diversity—each delivered with authenticity and informed by her own life story.

Leanne’s path into medicine was far from conventional. After being rejected from medical school on her first attempt, she took a gap year, during which she served in roles such as Head of Administration at Revive Congo, Support Worker at Doctors of the World UK, and Chair of the Youth Committee at Free the Children. She then secured a place at St George’s University of London with the help of the Southwark Scholarship. While studying, she completed an overseas placement delivering healthcare in Filipino prisons and founded the Aleto Medical Mastermind Group. In 2018, frustrated by the lack of representation in UK medical schools, she co-founded The Armitage Foundation, an organisation committed to increasing diversity in medicine by supporting students from under-represented backgrounds.

Leanne’s leadership and impact have earned her widespread recognition. She has received numerous accolades, including the UK Queen’s Young Leaders Award, the WeAreTheCity Rising Stars Award, and the Akindolie Medical Scholarship, all in 2018. In 2019, she was honoured with the Wintrade Women Trailblazers Highly Commended Award and the NEON Student of the Year Commendation. In 2020, she was named a LinkedIn Top Voice for Healthcare and ranked among the 150 Future Leaders by Future Leaders Magazine. Most recently, in 2022, she was recognised by the Black Cultural Archives as one of 40 Black leaders across the UK who are positively impacting the future of British society. She also published her debut book The Power of A Dream and became a Trustee and Director at Anthony Nolan.

Leanne’s speaking engagements delve deeply into topics like resilience and discipline, while placing a significant focus on racial equality and representation. Her personal journey from a young girl navigating adversity in South London to a respected doctor and changemaker gives her a compelling voice and unique perspective. Whether inspiring students, professionals, or institutions, Leanne’s talks are impactful, solution-oriented, and grounded in lived experience. She is hired not just for her accolades, but for her authenticity, her ability to connect, and her unwavering commitment to empowering the next generation through equity and opportunity.