We have recruited new trustees to the board. These appointments will be ratified by members at the Annual General Meeting on 21 October 2026
Find out more about the trustees:
Anita Smith – Deputy chair
I qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist from De Montfort University, Leicester, in 1994 and have worked in the NHS since. After an initial mixed caseload post, I specialised in adult services, focusing on eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). I have worked across a range of NHS organisations, including Leicester, Northampton, Reading, East Sussex and Sheffield.
From an early stage in my career, I developed a strong interest in service development and leadership. To support this, I completed an MBA at the University of Brighton in 2007 and have since held Consultant and Professional Head of Service roles in both East Sussex and Sheffield.
Alongside leadership responsibilities, I have remained committed to clinical practice, education and research. I have served as an RCSLT National Advisor since 2003, been a committee member of the UK Swallowing Research Group since 2016, and contributed to national guidance within my specialist field. I am passionate about supporting colleagues, particularly those at the start of their careers, and currently lead the Sheffield Dysphagia Course.
Career highlights include awards for leadership, patient safety and innovation, including a RCSLT Giving Voice Award for establishing Swallowing Awareness Day, now recognised internationally.
Rosalind Gray Rogers – Professional Practice and Policy Committee (PPPC) member
I qualified as a speech and language therapist from Reading University, followed by an MSc in Human Communication from Guys Medical School. I am a Fellow of RCSLT and work as Senior Lecturer and Programme Director for Speech and Language Therapy at Ulster University in Derry/Londonderry.
My career has spanned higher education, professional standards, policy and governance, and stroke and aphasia practice through the voluntary sector. I have previously served as Deputy Chair and Chair of RCSLT Council and most recently have represented the SLT university educators’ committee (CREST) on RCSLT’s Professional Practice and Policy Committee. My professional work has included pre-registration accreditation, curriculum development, eating, drinking and swallowing competencies, workforce issues and professional standards.
I have also held university leadership roles and currently chair the Board of a UK and Ireland not-for-profit Sensory integration Education organisation. I am committed to ensuring that the experiences and priorities of Northern Ireland members are strongly represented within RCSLT.
