Kwabena Osayande (he/him), is the Equality and Diversity Manager for the West Midlands Combined Authority, where he leads the EDI and Wellbeing team providing expert policy, strategic and operational guidance and delivery on equality, diversity and inclusion activities, internally at the Combined Authority and externally with their 7 local authority partners and other stakeholders. For example, supporting inclusive and accessible transport projects and strategic plans, health and equity impact assessments, wellbeing workshops and best practice recruitment and retention measures.

Kwabena has an extensive professional background in EDI and has held previous managerial and leadership roles at Birmingham City Council, Birmingham City University and former regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands. A champion for EDI and social justice, Kwabena also commits time as a Board Member for BME led Housing Association, Tuntum and The Healthy Living Network (Nuneaton & Bedworth) as well as holding a non-executive Director position at ACT CIC, a community interest company based in Birmingham that uses entrepreneurial and creative methods to address serious youth issues.

Born in Nottingham to Jamaican parents, Kwabena holds a MSC in Public Sector Management from the University of Birmingham and lives in North Warwickshire with his wife and two sons.