Ogechi – known affectionately to most of us as ‘Gech’ -was a beautiful soul, with a generous heart. She was fiercely loyal, unwavering in her integrity and was the embodiment of elegance and poise. Most of all she was someone who loved her family above anything else.

Gech was born in Manchester on 18th March 1969 to Mr. Emeadi (late) & Mrs Emeadi. The second of 4 children, with one elder sister, a younger sister and a younger brother. She went to Fallowfield C of E High School for Girls, Wythenshawe College and on to the University of East London to study Accounting & Finance. She soon realised that this was not her calling and then moved on to a career in Human Resources and People Management, studying to post graduate level.

She started her career at The Royal Marsden and then moved on to North Middlesex University Hospital Trust where she rose to the position of Deputy Director of HR. She took her first director role and moved to Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS FT where she was Director of Workforce. After a successful tenure there of five years, she took her second director role as Chief People Officer at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust. She quickly made her mark, spearheading effective strategy and innovation in the five years she held the role. Having established herself as a credible and effective senior executive director, with over 10 years board-level experience in the NHS, in May 2024 she accepted the role of Group Chief People Officer for the Royal Free Hospital Group. She was to start the role in September 2024 but sadly passed away before doing so.

Her professional achievements were numerous, and she was held in such high regard with colleagues and senior leaders within the NHS. However, her most loved role was the one she held in her close-knit family. She was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and sister-in-law.  She was their linchpin and was at her happiest at family gatherings. She loved to laugh with her siblings, she loved long chats with her mother. She was more than an aunt to her niece and nephews – she was their second mum.  She was generous to a fault, loved her family sacrificially, and was the centre of their lives. Her passing has quite literally devastated her family and left an unimaginable void. 

Across her personal and professional life, Gech made an incredible impact. Her family, friends and colleagues are reeling from the shock of her loss. The pain of her death is immeasurable and is felt far and wide. It will be difficult to come to terms with this. 

Rest in peace Gech.

From the Family