Dietitian Tai Ibitoye awarded CAHPO Gold Award for Excellence
Tai Ibitoye, a Highly Specialist Dietitian based in Brent has been awarded the CAHPO Gold Award for Excellence 2026 for her outstanding work improving health and reducing inequalities in the community.
The CAHPO Gold Award for Excellence is a national award presented by the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer (CAHPO) for England. It recognises Allied Health Professionals who have made an exceptional impact through innovation, leadership and improving care for patients and communities.
Tai received the award for her work with Brent Health Matters, where she has helped improve access to culturally appropriate nutrition education and dietetic support for diverse communities across Brent.
Brent has high levels of deprivation and ethnic diversity, and residents experience higher rates of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Before Tai’s involvement, many residents had limited access to tailored dietetic support and low awareness of national dietary guidance. Cultural dietary practices, busy work schedules and wider socio-economic barriers meant that many people were less likely to access traditional services.
Since joining Brent Health Matters, Tai has helped transform how dietetic support is delivered in the community. She has designed and delivered 40 nutrition education sessions, reaching 423 residents from African, Caribbean, South Asian and Middle Eastern backgrounds. The sessions covered topics such as diabetes management, heart health, hypertension, malnutrition, weight management and healthy eating.
Tai said:
“I am truly honored to be one of the recipients of the 2026 CAHPO Gold Award for Excellence. As a Highly Specialist Dietitian at Brent Health Matters (BHM), I am committed to the award’s mission of driving excellence and innovation to tackle deep-rooted health inequalities. One of my roles within BHM is to provide culturally sensitive, evidence-based nutrition advice and information to prevent, manage or treat long-term, diet-related conditions within some of Brent’s seldom-heard communities. This award isn’t just a personal milestone; it’s a spotlight on how AHPs, specifically, Dietitians can make significant contribution to improving population health (no matter how big or small), demonstrate wide range of skills and expertise within their roles and play an integral role within the wider workforce.”
Feedback has been very positive, with 100% of participants saying the sessions were useful and informative. Many residents said they planned to make changes such as reducing salt intake, improving their understanding of food labels, lowering carbohydrate portions and eating more vegetables.
Tai has also built strong partnerships with local organisations including churches, food banks, libraries, community groups and workplaces. By delivering sessions in trusted community spaces, she has helped reach people who may not normally access clinical services. She has also delivered training on nutrition and hydration to health educators, helping strengthen the wider workforce.
Alongside community education, Tai provides personalised dietetic support through clinics, home visits and telephone consultations. Her work has helped many residents feel more confident managing their diet and long-term health conditions, making her a very deserving recipient of the CAHPO Gold Award for Excellence 2026.
