Meet WNO

Dr. Chitra Bharucha

Dr Chitra Bharucha’s most recent appointment was as Chairman of FIT Biotech Oy, a Finnish biotech company. 

After a career in Medicine as Deputy Director, Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service and Consultant Clinical Haematologist, Belfast City Hospital, Chitra served in several regulatory roles specialising in corporate governance.  She chaired Fitness to Practise Adjudication Panels of the General Medical Council, having served as a Council member.  She was appointed Vice Chairman, becoming Acting Chairman, at the inception of the BBC Trust.

During her NHS career Chitra served on several national and international committees and councils including the WHO Expert Advisory Panel for Blood Products.

Former appointments include non-executive director of UK Transplant Authority, Northern Ireland Member of Independent Television Commission (ITC), BBC Broadcasting Council for Northern Ireland, Advertising Standards Authority Standards Agency, Trustee of Marie Curie Cancer Care, Lay Member of Review Body for Judicial Complaints  and a volunteer for many years with Samaritans.

She was awarded the MBE in 2009 for services to the animal feed industry.

Chitra was born in Madurai, India and has lived in the UK since 1972.