Robina is Professor of Medical Education and Psychosocial Medicine at Manchester University Medical School. She is a Chartered Consultant Psychologist, an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners and President of the Medicine and Society Council at the Royal Society of Medicine.
Robina is an established author with a specialist interest in medical education, psychosocial medicine, equality, diversity, inclusion and supporting family carers with neurodiverse children.
Robina is also passionate about supporting and promoting young people and involving them in decisions about their education, employment, future careers and most importantly their mental health and well-being.
Robina has an extensive public service record spanning over 25 years. She was appointed to her first NHS Non-Executive Director role in 1993 and was appointed Chair of Stockport NHS Acute Trust in 2007. Robina led the Trust to be one of the first of only ten NHS Trusts to be awarded Foundation Trust Status in 2004. When she completed her tenure, Robina was the youngest and longest serving Chair of an NHS Trust in England.
Robina is a thought leader and has held numerous national and international leadership roles: The NHS Leadership Council, NHS Equality Diversity Council, Chair RCGP UK Patients and Carers Partnership Group, Expert Member of the Prime Ministers NHS Future Forum, Specialist Board Advisor, National Patient Safety Agency; Chair, Health Promoting Hospitals, World Health Organisation.
Robina has also held professional regulatory roles with the General Medical Council and Health Education England. Current roles include Member, NHS England General Assembly, NHS Confederation Taskforce on Board Appointments, NHS England Health Inequalities Improvement Programme Board. Robina is also a Non-Executive Director and Vice Chair of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust.
Robina is passionate about football and holds Non- Executive Director roles with the Football Association, including Women’s Football Board and Vice Chair FA Disability Football Committee. She has recently been appointed to the FA Council. Other civic roles include Chief Ambassador to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s “Meet You Future and Bridge GM”.
Robina was appointed personally by Her Majesty the Queen; High Sheriff for the County of Greater Manchester (April 2018-April 2019). She was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for Greater Manchester in 2004.
In September 2018, Robina was honoured to be one of only 25 women in England and Wales nominated by the public through English Heritage for a living statute that acknowledged her personal and professional achievements.
In His Majesty The King’s first New Years Honours List in 2023 Robina was awarded the title of Dame of the British Empire (DBE) for her services to patient care and was made honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine in 2024.