Dr Lade Smith CBE
President-elect, Presidential Lead for Race and Equality
Dr Shubulade (aka Lade) Smith CBE is a Consultant Psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Visiting Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London.
Dr Smith became RCPsych President-elect on 18 January 2023, after an election which opened on 14 December. She will become the 18th President of the RCPsych and will replace current President Dr Adrian James when he demits office on 11 July, at the College AGM, which is being held during the RCPsych International Congress in Liverpool.
Dr Smith graduated in Medicine from Guy’s Hospital Medical School, London, winning prizes in Psychological Medicine. After training at the Maudsley, she undertook a Research Fellowship in antipsychotic side effects. She then set up a joint medication review/physical health clinic leading to nomination as a “Woman of the Year” and a BMA Pioneer award. A general psychiatrist, she is now Lead for the Acute Forensic Pathway of the South London Partnership and Clinical Director of Forensic Services at SLaM.
Dr Smith is also Clinical and Strategic Director of the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health at the Royal College of Psychiatrists. She sat on the recent Mental Health Act review and was responsible for recommendations around Black mental health, forensic issues and tribunals.
Dr Smith was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2019. In November 2019 she was awarded Psychiatrist of the Year and featured in HSJ’s list of 100 influential Black, Asian and minority ethnic leaders. In July 2020, she became joint Presidential Lead for Race and Equality for the RCPsych. Dr Smith is committed to holistic improvement in mental healthcare. She is a Trustee of National Mind and an advisor to Rethink. She is a Trustee of the Bethlem Gallery Trust.
Dr Smith enjoys walks along London’s river, reading and Zumba.