Akbar Hussain Durrani, Head of Regional Operations (Pakistan)

Akbar Hussain Durrani, (TI)/ PAS, is a distinguished former Federal Secretary of the Pakistan Administrative Service, bringing over three decades of senior leadership experience across federal and provincial governments. He most recently served as Member of the Federal Public Service Commission, including one year as Acting Chairman.

Over his career, Mr. Durrani held some of Pakistan’s most senior administrative roles, including Chief Secretary Punjab and Federal Secretary for multiple key ministries. He also spent nearly two decades in Balochistan, where he led critical portfolios spanning finance, home and tribal affairs, education, and governance, driving fiscal reform, institutional strengthening, and security coordination.

Prior to civil service, he served as a commissioned officer in the Pakistan Army’s elite Special Service Group. In recognition of his exceptional public service, he was awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan.

Deborah Butler, Senior Lecturer (Specialist Practice)

Deborah qualified as an Adult Nurse in 2012 after graduating from the University of Manchester, where she also completed her Master’s in Specialist Practice (Cancer). She gained extensive clinical experience in the NHS as an Associate Specialist Nurse, working across gynaecological cancer, acute oncology, and cancer of unknown primary, developing expertise across a broad range of disease groups and treatments.

In 2022, Deborah joined the University of Chester as a Senior Lecturer in Nursing and Healthcare Education, taking on responsibilities including cohort leadership, module quality oversight, and academic assessment. A passionate educator, she is committed to promoting excellence in nursing education for both current and future healthcare professionals. As of September 2025, she is a full‑time PhD researcher at the University of Leeds, focusing on national and regional cancer policy analysis.

Hajnal Zdravics, Nurse Tutor (Specialist Practice)

Hajnal is a highly experienced healthcare professional with over 25 years of practice across intensive care nursing and clinical research. Her work has focused particularly on paediatric infectious disease management, alongside extensive involvement in clinical research and research methodology.

She is currently undertaking an MSc in Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, further strengthening her expertise in population health, disease surveillance, and evidence-based practice.

Dr Adedotun Owolabi, Senior Lecturer

Adedotun is a nutrition and health specialist with over a decade of experience designing and leading evidence-based programmes across public health, research, and policy. His work spans collaboration with governments, NGOs, and private sector partners, from spearheading nationwide nutrition initiatives in Nigeria to shaping maternal and child health funding strategies at Grand Challenges Nigeria.

He has played a key role in advancing scientific evidence into practice through the development of nutrient-dense foods, the design of due diligence and evaluation frameworks, published research, and leadership coaching at SAME RPS. Today, Adedotun continues to build strategic partnerships, develop scalable, evidence-driven solutions, and advocate for policies that prioritise the needs of children and families. His current focus includes advancing nutrition research, leadership coaching, scaling innovation, and influencing food and health systems across Africa, Asia, and globally.

Professor Basma Ellahi, Academic Lead for Development (University of Chester)

Basma is Associate Dean of Research and Innovation at the University of Chester, providing strategic leadership across research, knowledge exchange, and postgraduate development. Her work focuses on public health nutrition, research methods, and inclusive, community-engaged research, particularly with underserved and ethnic minority populations. She has extensive experience in policy-relevant research, doctoral supervision, and international collaboration, with a strong commitment to translating evidence into meaningful health impact.

Basma provided academic leadership for the development of our programmes on behalf of the University of Chester.

https://profiles.chester.ac.uk/B.ELLAHI

Lanle Ayansina, Nurse Tutor (Critical Care)

Lanle is a highly experienced healthcare professional with over 25 years of practice across physiotherapy and nursing. Trained both internationally and in the UK, she holds a BSc and MSc in Physiotherapy, a BSc in Adult Nursing, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing Practice. She currently practises as a Critical Care Nurse, bringing a strong multidisciplinary and advanced practice perspective to care delivery.

A committed leader, mentor, and educator, Lanle is passionate about empowering individuals through lifelong learning and professional development. Alongside her clinical work, she chairs charities and community interest organisations supporting women and families, reflecting her dedication to community impact and advocacy.

Dr Ian Whyte, Senior Lecturer

Ian is a highly experienced educator with extensive expertise in teaching, academic leadership, management, and mentoring across further and higher education. He has held senior academic roles including Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, and Head of Department within post-16 institutions and universities.

He completed his PhD in Adult Education at the University of Sunderland, where he later became Head of Department in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing. Deeply committed to advancing education and personal development, Ian also serves as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board for the International Network of Sport and Health Sciences (INSHS).

Alongside his academic career, Ian is an accomplished sports coach with over 40 years of experience. He has coached athletes across multiple disciplines, including gymnastics and track and field, supporting competitors at Commonwealth Games, World Championships, European Championships, and Olympic Games.