Alumnus and former LMH Foundation Year student Ras.I Martin (2020, PPE) has been named among the Top 10 in the 2025 edition of Powerful Media’s Future Leaders publication.
Ras.I Martin celebrating his Oxford graduation in 2024
Ras.I’s recognition recognises his impact as Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s youngest and only Black Governor, as well as his role as the UK’s sole delegate to the Commonwealth Youth Parliament.
Future Leaders is an annual publication showcasing 150 of the most outstanding university students of African and African Caribbean heritage in the UK. Aimed at inspiring students from schools, colleges, and universities, it serves as a role model guide to encourage young talent and drive achievement.
Late last year, Ras.I was also listed in the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) UK 100 Under 25. The list celebrates young leaders shaping the future across a variety of sectors, shining a spotlight on individuals redefining excellence and innovation. As part of the United Nations’ Second International Decade for People of African Descent, the initiative seeks to honour the resilience, creativity, and leadership of young people making an indelible impact.
In his role as Governor at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Ras.I represents the ‘rest of England’ constituency, focusing on amplifying the voices of young people within the hospital trust. His advocacy particularly targets young people’s experiences in healthcare and addressing racially based health disparities. Ras.I is a passionate advocate for increasing the participation of underrepresented voices to improve governance and patient outcomes.
Reflecting on his achievements so far, Ras.I recently featured in a Student Story interview for the University of Oxford, reflecting on how his perception of ‘elite’ spaces evolved during his time here: “At first, I saw Oxford as this untouchable, elite space where people like me didn’t belong. But once I got here, I realised that wasn’t the case at all. There were so many people from backgrounds like mine, and even those who weren’t had more in common with me than I expected.”
For students who may feel hesitant about applying, Ras.I offers simple but powerful advice: “Be bold and apply. Too many of my friends didn’t even take the chance because they thought they weren’t ‘good enough.’ But after coming here, I know they would have thrived—just like I did—if they had just taken that leap of faith.”
You can read the full interview with Ras.I on the University of Oxford website.
