Published on: 27th October 2025
This year’s Black History Month theme - standing firm in power and pride - couldn’t be more fitting for Evelyn Asante-Mensah OBE, whose life and leadership at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust is a testament to both. Evelyn finishes her time as our chair this week after eight years at Pennine Care.
Evelyn’s journey begins growing up on the Alexandra Park estate of Moss Side, raised in a family that placed a high value on education.
“They wanted me to go to school, college and university, and then they wanted me, like many African parents, to become a doctor or a lawyer. None of which I did. I became a single mother of two very quickly.”
“I’ve always worked to better myself. I always knew that I wanted more than I had then. I wanted to go to uni but felt anxious, like a lot of people, because I didn’t have a first degree.
“I wanted to show my children that someone with a background like mine—from Moss Side—could really make something of themselves.”
Despite not having a first degree, Evelyn pursued a master’s in Women’s Studies at Manchester Metropolitan University—an experience that ultimately shaped her leadership journey. She began working in healthcare in the early 1990s, focusing on sexual health within Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. This became the Black Health Agency, expanding to address a broader spectrum of health.
This eventually led Evelyn into the NHS, first in commissioning and then on the board at Manchester Health Authority, the primary care group, and Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust (which became GMMH). From here she applied to be chair at Pennine Care, being appointed in 2017.
“I was successful, but it was very different. It wasn’t diverse. I was the only Black person on the board and the culture was not a culture that I was used to working in.”
But she stayed, she led, and she changed things - building a board culture rooted in psychological safety, compassion, and diversity.
“Our patients and our staff are absolutely at the centre of what we do, what we talk about. It’s one that is diverse - I look back now, and I am very, very proud.”
“To have served for eight years is, I think, a tremendous achievement. The culture that I leave behind is a culture that I am incredibly proud of.
“It’s shown me you don’t have to be bullish to be a good leader. You don’t have to use phrases like grip and control. Showing your insecurities is a point of power as opposed to weakness.”
Evelyn also found pride in being her authentic self.
“I’ve been able to be my authentic self—to accept and love who I am, as a Black African woman. I have wanted to be a role model and I hope I have been—to our staff, colleagues, and not just those within Pennine but outside of Pennine.”
Evelyn continues to advocate for equity and representation as Co-Chair of the North West Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Assembly.
“Racism exists, but we can’t let racism stop us doing what we want to do.”
“People should be their authentic self. People should be who they are and know and understand their worth. If you try to be something else, it won’t work. I tried—and it didn’t work.”
“Look for allies, network, take opportunities. Sometimes we don’t take opportunities because we’re a bit afraid, but actually —take those opportunities.”
“Sometimes, and particularly women—particularly Black women, Brown women, minority ethnic women—they don’t think that they’re enough. And I always say: you are enough. You need to know that you are enough.”
As Evelyn reflects on her time at Pennine Care, her pride is in the people and the culture she helped shape.
“The NHS has been amazing. It's been a huge privilege for me to work in the NHS. Mental health has been the biggest privilege of my career, coming to Pennine Care.
“I could only be the chair that I am because of who I have had the privilege and the pleasure to serve on the board with and to work with. Most of all, I’m really proud of our Pennine Care people.”