Ifti qualified as a Registered Mental Health Nurse in 1988, training at St George’s Hospital in London. He has held a range of clinical posts in adult mental health services, both in acute inpatient and community settings and continues to hold an active mental health nursing registration. Having completed post-graduate management studies at Sheffield Hallam University, Ifti moved into Director Roles in 2008 and became Chief Executive of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on 6 October 2017. In addition, as part of the Integrated Care System, Ifti leads the programmes of work associated with Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism, as well as the emerging work on Anchor Institutions.
Named in the HSJ 50 most influential BAME people in health, Ifti is passionate about inclusion and diversity in a board setting and privileged to be the Co-Chair of the NHS Confederation BME Leadership Network.