(Director and Co-Founder)

Benash Nazmeen is a dedicated midwife, early career researcher, and midwifery educator with a passion for addressing health inequalities and improving maternity services for both healthcare professionals and the women they care for. As a co-founder of ASAM, Benash works tirelessly to support marginalized midwives and raise awareness about the barriers faced by diverse communities in maternity care.

She co-designed and runs Cultural Competency and Safety Workshops, which have become a case study of good practice in the NHS Equity and Equality Guidance for Local Maternity Systems (2021). Her commitment to advancing equity in healthcare extends to her role as Co-Chair for the Birth Rights Charity's Racial Injustice in UK Maternity Services Inquiry. Additionally, Benash contributes her expertise as a member of the MBRRACE-UK Perinatal Confidential Enquiry Review Panel and the RHO maternity stakeholder group.

Benash’s efforts in research and advocacy have earned her notable recognition. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Midwives, was shortlisted for the "RCM Race Matters" award in 2021, and was awarded "Ground-breaking Researcher" at the BAME Health & Care Awards in 2022.

Through her work, Benash continues to be a powerful advocate for change, championing equity in maternity care and supporting the healthcare professionals committed to this cause.