Celebrated at the Annual Delegates' Conference 2025 in London.
UK Rep of the Year Winner - Samantha Kemp
A standout amongst outstanding reps - Samantha, passionate and proactive, empowers colleagues to engage, challenge injustice, and help drive positive change. Her unwavering commitment and inspiring leadership make her a truly deserving winner.
Below you'll find all of our regional winners.
Photo caption: Tom Welton, SoR President and Kavithaa Raghupathy.Kavithaa Raghupathy
Kavithaa is an MRI Radiographer at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust and a dedicated Health and Safety Representative with the Society of Radiographers. With a career spanning India and the UK, she began as an MRI Clinical Application Specialist at Philips India before specialising in neuroimaging at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences. She moved to the UK in 2021. As an SoR Rep, Kavithaa has championed workplace safety, addressing issues like workplace stress, lone working, and pregnancy safety. Her commitment to staff wellbeing and risk assessment, in collaboration with management, ensures a safer working environment for all. Passionate and approachable, Kavithaa is an advocate for safety and support across her trust.
Photo caption: Tom Welton, SoR President and Samantha Kemp.
Samantha Kemp
Samantha retrained as a radiographer in 2012, a decision that transformed her life. Since moving to London in 2017, she has specialised in MRI and has been a dedicated Industrial Relations Rep at The Royal Marsden Hospital for five years. Passionate about workplace advocacy, Samantha works tirelessly to ensure her colleagues have a supportive and fair environment. She believes in the power of collective action, pushing for positive change and challenging the status quo when necessary. A strong advocate for her peers, she encourages others to get involved and be part of the solution.
Photo caption: Tom Welton, SoR President and Amy Ensell- Harper.
Amy Ensell-Harper
Amy has been a dedicated radiographer at Alexandra Hospital in Redditch since 2001, specialising in CT and MRI. After a brief stint in mobile MRI, she returned CT, eventually becoming CT Lead Radiographer. Passionate about service improvement, she has helped expand the service by introducing radiographer-led colon and cardiac lists. They were rated outstanding in their last CQC inspection. As an SoR Industrial Relations Rep for over 10 years, Amy is a fierce advocate for fairness and staff support. Inspired by her father, who was a union rep, she fights for her colleagues’ rights and wellbeing, ensuring they have the guidance they need.
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Photo caption: Tom Welton, SoR President and Conor Fitpatrick (Delegate Lead for North West) accepting award on behalf of Rachael Heeney.
Rachael Heeney
Rachael is a Diagnostic Radiographer and Industrial Relations Rep at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. She began her career at Whiston Hospital Emergency Department, where she developed strong clinical and teamworking skills in a fast-paced and high pressure environment. Seeking a new challenge, she moved to an oncology trust, and now works within CT and MRI. Working at Clatterbridge has not only broadened her skillset, but has also deepened her empathy. Now an SoR Industrial Relations Rep, Rachael is committed to supporting her colleagues, ensuring fairness across departments, and reducing workplace concerns. She encourages others to take on the role, emphasising the leadership and communication skills it fosters.
Photo caption: Tom Welton, SoR President and Gill Hodges.
Gill Hodges
Gill has been an active member of SoR member throughout her career. She has held key roles in Northern Ireland’s Council and UK Council for nearly a decade and was President of SoR in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. She is passionate about radiographer development within a properly structured and supported framework. In 2023, she stepped in as an Industrial Relations Rep at short notice to support members during strike action. She continues to advocate for fairness, workplace development, and the next generation of SoR representatives. Gill encourages others to get involved, emphasising the invaluable experience and professional growth that can be gained through doing so.
Photo caption: Tom Welton, SoR President and Gareth Haining (Delegate Lead for Scotland) accepting award on behalf of Jennifer Stewart.
Jennifer Stewart
Jennifer has had a 37-year career in radiography, spending the last 31 years at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh. Specialising in CT and MRI, she has worked as CT Lead and has also served as an Industrial Relations and Health & Safety Representative for over 15 years. Jennifer initially took on the rep role reluctantly but quickly realised the importance of advocating for colleagues' rights. This past year, leading up to her retirement in May, has been her busiest yet, with numerous issues to address. She credits the SoR network for its support and encourages others to step up, assuring them that while the role can be demanding, it is hugely rewarding. Jennifer is now heading to the Scottish Highlands for well-earned adventures with her husband and their dog!
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Photo caption: Tom Welton, SoR President and Michaela Clark (Delegate Lead for South East) accepting award on behalf of Maria Johnson.
Maria Johnson
Maria transitioned from nursing to radiography at age 34. Since joining University Hospital Southampton, she has worked across Numerous departments: X-ray, paediatrics, cardiac cath labs, and cross-sectional imaging. A dedicated Industrial Relations Rep for 21 years, Maria has held key leadership roles (Joint Staff Side Secretary, Vice Chair, and Chair) and mentored the next generation of union reps. She is passionate about fairness, advocacy, and ensuring the best working conditions for colleagues. She has played an active role in policy groups, recruitment and retention, and pay steering committees, demonstrating the huge impact reps can make. Maria firmly believes that now, more than ever, IR reps are essential in shaping the future of the NHS. Maria credits SoR Officer Marie Bullough as a mentor who has provided invaluable guidance throughout her journey.
Photo caption: Tom Welton, SoR President and Rupert Maclaren.
Rupert Maclaren
Rupert’s path to radiography was anything but conventional. After 17 years in the wine trade, he retrained at Exeter University, where he became one of the first SoR Student Reps and took part in the Council of Deans of Health’s Student Leadership Programme (#150Leaders). He was elected Student Observer to UK Council in 2019 and won South West Rep of the Year in 2020. Since qualifying in 2020, Rupert has had multiple roles, including general radiographer, CT specialist, and university clinical tutor, while remaining a dedicated SoR Rep at Yeovil District Hospital. He recently completed his MSK Reporting PgC and serves as DCC Chair for 2025, also sitting on DIAG. Rupert’s introduction to union work turned into a passion for advocacy and mentorship, proving that sometimes, the best decisions are made by mistake!
Photo caption: Tom Welton, SoR President and Frankie Martyn (colleague) accepting award on behalf of Jasmine Edmunds.
Jasmine Edmunds
Jasmine began her career at University Hospital Llandough in 2019. In 2023, she took on the Industrial Relations Rep role after recognising the need for representation amid organisational changes within the health board. With the encouragement of her colleagues, Jasmine stepped up to ensure their voices were heard and has since supported members through workplace challenges. Jasmine is dedicated to learning and growing in her role, striving to provide guidance and advocacy for her colleagues. She encourages anyone considering becoming a rep to go for it, emphasising that support is always available and that the role is an opportunity to make a real difference.
Photo caption: Tom Welton, SoR President and Paula McLoone.
Paula McLoone
Paula qualified from Glasgow Caledonian University before moving to Hull to work as a Therapeutic Radiographer. She quickly found her passion in pre-treatment, working within the multidisciplinary team to introduce new technologies and techniques. Over the years, she has completed postgraduate CT training and a Master’s degree, expanding her expertise while mentoring students and staff. Paula has been an SoR Industrial Relations Rep for 15 years, supporting members with pay, pensions, policies, and job matching. She is passionate about ensuring fairness in the workplace and encourages others to get involved. She reassures new reps that they are never alone, as there is a strong network of support to help them succeed.