Head of Global - Dr Sebastian Taylor
Sebastian heads the Global Child Health Programme at RCPCH, supporting health systems development in East and West Africa and South/Southeast Asia, and advising on multilateral and global child health policy. His principal area of research and policy interest is global health governance and the equitable provision of health determinants and health care in low/middle-income and fragile countries. He advises the World Health Organization as a member of the Technical Advisory Groups for Polio Eradication in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
He has lectured in international health and development at the University of East Anglia, UCL and the School of Oriental and African Studies. He served as chief executive to two international humanitarian NGOs (the International Rescue Committee, supporting refugee and displaced populations around the world, and Landmine Action, an NGO working on arms control, landmine clearance, and post-conflict reconstruction). He has worked extensively with the World Health Organisation, Unicef and UNDP, and was a Senior Research Fellow with UCL until 2008, working as a member of the secretariat of the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health.
sebastian.taylor@rcpch.ac.uk - 020 7092 6009
Global Officer - Dr Arvind Shah
The Global Officer is appointed from the College's senior membership to bring direct experience and technical expertise to our international health and development work of the College, including on our educational and examinations strategic aims. This role also chairs our International Board.
Dr Arvind Shah was appointed in June 2025. See more about Arvind.
Programme Leads
Clémence Muzard Banes
Clémence leads the RCPCH programme in Rwanda. She has over 15 years of experience in grant-making, project design and operational implementation in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, with expertise in child protection, child health, education, and psychosocial support. Prior to joining RCPCH in 2020, Clémence led humanitarian and advocacy programmes with War Child UK, Save the Children and The African Child Policy Forum.
clemence.muzardbanes@rcpch.ac.uk
Marie Bontoux
Marie leads the RCPCH programmes in Lebanon and Sierra Leone and supports the Multi-Country Assessment Programme in India, Nigeria and Pakistan. She has over 10 years of experience in Global Health and a strong interest in perinatal care and early child development. Marie has developed and worked on health system strengthening and capacity building programmes in Kenya, Rwanda, Palestine, India, Nigeria, Lebanon and Sierra Leone.
Katie Wood
Katie leads the RCPCH programmes in Nepal and Myanmar. She has over 14 years’ experience working on programmes across Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe, including maternal and child health, early childhood development, sexual and reproductive health, water, sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, climate change, education, protection and advocacy, as well as a range of humanitarian crises. She is an international development and humanitarian professional, having previously worked for large international organisations including UNICEF, ActionAid and the British Red Cross, as well as local Non-Government Organisations overseas.
Suzanna Bright
Suzanna leads the RCPCH programme in Nigeria. A global health professional with a clinical background in Speech and Language Therapy, she has over 10 years of experience in global health working with international NGOs and local community-based organisations across Africa, Asia and the LATAM region. Suzanna has a particular interest in maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, early childhood development, HIV/AIDS, Health Systems Strengthening and disability-inclusive programming.
Misbah Bhamani
Misbah leads the RCPCH programme in Myanmar and the College’s Visiting Fellowship Scheme. Her background is in global health and health systems strengthening, with a particular interest in translating global health theory into practice by designing and delivering programmes that create meaningful, sustainable change. She has worked across Myanmar, Nepal and India, supporting health workforce development, medical and nursing education, partnership building, and capacity strengthening. In her current role, she works with a range of UK and international partners to strengthen health systems, support healthcare professionals, and improve child health outcomes.
Onubha Hoque Syed
Onubha leads the Air Quality and Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Programme across Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, India and Kenya, and supports the Multi-Country Assessment Programme in India, Nigeria and Pakistan. She has a background in global health, sustainable development and research, with experience coordinating research programmes and bringing together clinical experts and partner organisations to address child health priorities.