6 Aug 2026, 17:39Sharon Platt-McDonald, BUC Health, Adventist Community Services and Women’s Ministries Director
Impacting Communities – Changing Lives
Professor Iavan Browne OBE DL FFPH: Walking Through the Doors God Opens
Interview by Sharon Platt-McDonald BUC Health Ministries Director
The British Union Conference Adventist Community Services Department continues its Impacting Communities – Changing Lives series by highlighting individuals whose Christian faith is making a positive difference in society.
In this edition, Sharon Platt-McDonald speaks with Professor Iavan Browne OBE DL FFPH – an internationally respected public health leader, Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), Professor of Public Health and the Social Determinants of Health at De Montfort University, Non-Executive Director of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, and Board Member of Newbold College. His remarkable career demonstrates how Christian faith, compassion, and professional excellence can work together to transform lives and communities.
SPM: Professor Browne, please tell our readers about your career journey.
IB: After being advised by my secondary school careers teacher that I should pursue a career in factory work, I secured an apprenticeship as a vehicle mechanic. On completing my apprenticeship, however, I realised my educational journey was far from over.
I went on to study Environmental Health, qualifying as an Environmental Health Officer, before retraining in Public Health medicine. This eventually led to my appointment as Director of Public Health for Leicester.
SPM: How did you experience God's leading throughout that journey?
IB: God's hand has been evident at every stage. On the surface, it might seem unlikely that an underachieving Black boy leaving secondary school would eventually serve in the positions I have been privileged to hold. But God had other plans.
I often say that my greatest skill is simply walking through the doors God opens, even when I feel uncertain or afraid of what lies beyond. Looking back, I can see that God has used both the joyful moments and the difficult experiences to guide me exactly where He wanted me to be.
SPM: What has prepared you for your current role?
IB: Success is influenced by far more than natural ability or qualifications alone. I believe God equips us for the work He calls us to do.
Christian values – compassion, integrity, and understanding – are gifts we should take into every workplace. People should see not only our professional competence but also our Christianity reflected in the way we serve others.
SPM: Tell us about your passion for Public Health and the impact of your work.
IB: Public Health naturally aligns with Seventh-day Adventist beliefs. Issues such as social justice, health inequalities, and healthy living are central both to the discipline of Public Health and to Adventist teaching.
People matter deeply to me, especially those who are often marginalised. That passion, rooted in my Christian faith and family upbringing, led me to work with members of my church to plant a congregation in one of Leicester's most deprived communities.
Working in Public Health has enabled me to combine my profession with that passion. I remain deeply concerned by the unequal opportunities experienced by many communities, and it is both a privilege and a blessing to help develop initiatives that reduce those inequalities.
SPM: During the COVID-19 pandemic, you played a significant leadership role in Leicester. What was that experience like?
IB: As Director of Public Health for Leicester, I served during one of the most challenging periods in the city's history. Leicester became the first city in England to enter a local lockdown, with restrictions lasting around 100 days longer than elsewhere in the country.
My responsibility extended beyond providing scientific evidence to limit the spread of the virus. It also involved offering reassurance and hope to a community facing enormous uncertainty. Looking back, it remains one of the greatest privileges of my career.
Many of the initiatives developed in Leicester were later adopted nationally, and I believe they made a significant contribution to protecting communities across the country.
SPM: You were recently recognised for your contribution to Public Health. Tell us about that.
IB: Although I have received several professional honours during my career, the appreciation shown by local people has always meant the most to me. When someone remembers your work years later and simply says, "Thank you," it is deeply humbling.
More recently, one of Leicester's principal shopping centres unveiled a large public mural celebrating individuals who have made a significant contribution to the city. I was surprised and honoured to be included among those recognised.
I take no personal credit. Rather, I continue to marvel at how far God can lead one of His children when they are willing to follow His direction.
Editor's Note: Professor Browne's inclusion in the Leicester civic mural recognises his outstanding contribution to public health and community wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout his distinguished career. Readers can learn more in the accompanying BBC News report.*
SPM: Finally, what message would you leave with young Christians considering their future careers?
IB: Believe that God still has a purpose for your life.
Don't allow status or financial reward to become your primary motivation. Instead, ask whether the opportunity before you is a door that God has opened. If it is, walk through it – and once there, give Him your very best.
SPM: Thank you for sharing your inspiring story. We pray that God will continue to bless your ministry and your service to both your community and His Church.
Interview by Sharon Platt-McDonald BUC Health Ministries Director
The British Union Conference Adventist Community Services Department continues its Impacting Communities – Changing Lives series by highlighting individuals whose Christian faith is making a positive difference in society.
In this edition, Sharon Platt-McDonald speaks with Professor Iavan Browne OBE DL FFPH – an internationally respected public health leader, Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), Professor of Public Health and the Social Determinants of Health at De Montfort University, Non-Executive Director of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, and Board Member of Newbold College. His remarkable career demonstrates how Christian faith, compassion, and professional excellence can work together to transform lives and communities.
SPM: Professor Browne, please tell our readers about your career journey.
IB: After being advised by my secondary school careers teacher that I should pursue a career in factory work, I secured an apprenticeship as a vehicle mechanic. On completing my apprenticeship, however, I realised my educational journey was far from over.
I went on to study Environmental Health, qualifying as an Environmental Health Officer, before retraining in Public Health medicine. This eventually led to my appointment as Director of Public Health for Leicester.
SPM: How did you experience God's leading throughout that journey?
IB: God's hand has been evident at every stage. On the surface, it might seem unlikely that an underachieving Black boy leaving secondary school would eventually serve in the positions I have been privileged to hold. But God had other plans.
I often say that my greatest skill is simply walking through the doors God opens, even when I feel uncertain or afraid of what lies beyond. Looking back, I can see that God has used both the joyful moments and the difficult experiences to guide me exactly where He wanted me to be.
SPM: What has prepared you for your current role?
IB: Success is influenced by far more than natural ability or qualifications alone. I believe God equips us for the work He calls us to do.
Christian values – compassion, integrity, and understanding – are gifts we should take into every workplace. People should see not only our professional competence but also our Christianity reflected in the way we serve others.
SPM: Tell us about your passion for Public Health and the impact of your work.
IB: Public Health naturally aligns with Seventh-day Adventist beliefs. Issues such as social justice, health inequalities, and healthy living are central both to the discipline of Public Health and to Adventist teaching.
People matter deeply to me, especially those who are often marginalised. That passion, rooted in my Christian faith and family upbringing, led me to work with members of my church to plant a congregation in one of Leicester's most deprived communities.
Working in Public Health has enabled me to combine my profession with that passion. I remain deeply concerned by the unequal opportunities experienced by many communities, and it is both a privilege and a blessing to help develop initiatives that reduce those inequalities.
SPM: During the COVID-19 pandemic, you played a significant leadership role in Leicester. What was that experience like?
IB: As Director of Public Health for Leicester, I served during one of the most challenging periods in the city's history. Leicester became the first city in England to enter a local lockdown, with restrictions lasting around 100 days longer than elsewhere in the country.
My responsibility extended beyond providing scientific evidence to limit the spread of the virus. It also involved offering reassurance and hope to a community facing enormous uncertainty. Looking back, it remains one of the greatest privileges of my career.
Many of the initiatives developed in Leicester were later adopted nationally, and I believe they made a significant contribution to protecting communities across the country.
SPM: You were recently recognised for your contribution to Public Health. Tell us about that.
IB: Although I have received several professional honours during my career, the appreciation shown by local people has always meant the most to me. When someone remembers your work years later and simply says, "Thank you," it is deeply humbling.
More recently, one of Leicester's principal shopping centres unveiled a large public mural celebrating individuals who have made a significant contribution to the city. I was surprised and honoured to be included among those recognised.
I take no personal credit. Rather, I continue to marvel at how far God can lead one of His children when they are willing to follow His direction.
Editor's Note: Professor Browne's inclusion in the Leicester civic mural recognises his outstanding contribution to public health and community wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout his distinguished career. Readers can learn more in the accompanying BBC News report.*
SPM: Finally, what message would you leave with young Christians considering their future careers?
IB: Believe that God still has a purpose for your life.
Don't allow status or financial reward to become your primary motivation. Instead, ask whether the opportunity before you is a door that God has opened. If it is, walk through it – and once there, give Him your very best.
SPM: Thank you for sharing your inspiring story. We pray that God will continue to bless your ministry and your service to both your community and His Church.
