Daryl Cockman:
Daryl has supported public services for 42 years with 35 in the NHS and 5 in local government. He started his career in payroll and became a qualified accountant through AAT and then CIPFA. He has had a well-rounded career and has worked at a senior level in providers, commissioners and the regulator. He is an avid supporter of lifelong learning which includes a master’s degree and more recently a level 5 (year one of a degree) qualification in coaching and mentoring. He currently works 3 days a week at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS foundation trust where he is the Head of Financial Development supporting training and HWB for the finance team and also trying to develop finance and business skills within operational services. He is the Joint FFF Regional Lead and serves on the Regional HFMA and SDN/FSD Committees. When he is not spending time with his wife and three girls Daryl likes to have time out on his road bike taking in the countryside around Suffolk.
Daryl Cockman, Head of Financial Development, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Jodi Martin:
I have spent my 25 year career in the NHS, working for the Ambulance Service, acute trust, and then into mental health where I have been at Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust for 19 years. From AAT, I continued my professional development through ACCA and qualified in 2007. The training and development I have been given over the years has helped shape my career and got me to where I am today, as a Senior Strategic Finance Manager. My first ‘big’ promotion led to anxiety and a brief period of sickness, from the pressure I put on myself to get things right and not let anyone down. I learnt that it’s ok to not be ok, and not to struggle on my own. The support and understanding I received from my managers and colleagues played a huge part in my recovery. It’s through this lived experience, along with the different opportunities I’ve been given throughout my career, that made me want to give something back to others. As well as being a Health & Wellbeing Champion and I&D Ambassador with Future Focused Finance, I am also a mentor, chair of our Study Group, Deputy FSD Lead and Student Lead for my Trust.
I am proud of the One NHS Finance work we have done in the Norfolk and Waveney ICS, with workstreams on Talent Management, Equality & Diversity, Health & Wellbeing and Communications, taking a system approach to staff development. We are also one of the first systems where all organisations are at least level 1 accredited, and continue to work towards the next levels of Towards Excellence. I am passionate about the future of finance within the NHS, networking with individuals where we can share best practice, make positive change and ultimately deliver value for money and improve patient care.
Being part of the ONF community has opened many doors for me. I would encourage anyone in NHS Finance to become a Value Maker and discover what you too can learn!
Jodi Martin, Senior Strategic Finance Manager, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Sonya Carey:
Hello everyone, my name is Sonya Carey and I am a Finance Business Partner at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS FT. At the beginning of March 2024 I will have been in the NHS for 30 years so have a great deal of experience within the finance function and have seen a lot of change over the years. I am keen to teach non-clinical colleagues about finance so provide training as part of a trust wide initiative. I am more than happy to visit any team and not only promote what we do in finance but also what we can do to support our service lines and what they can do to help us. I am passionate about ensuring that staff have a voice and that they have the opportunity to develop and grow. We spend a lot of time at work so it should be a place where we all feel supported and valued. I am the chair of the BLMK value makers group and play an active role supporting One NHS Finance. I have been involved in One NHS Finance for many years and am an ambassador for health and wellbeing and ED&I. Being part of the wider One NHS work has enabled me to be involved in national networks which has led to me meeting lots of new people which is really useful when you need to ‘steal with pride’. There is so much to learn in an evolving world so why not do that learning alongside like minded individuals. I truly encourage everyone to use the wealth of resources that are on the One NHS website and join the national community as a value maker.
Sonya Carey, Senior Directorate Accountant, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Sarah Brisbane:
I have worked for the NHS since 2000 at a variety of organisations in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough system including both specialised (NHSE) and non-specialised commissioners and since 2016 have been in the role of Head of Commissioning and Income at Royal Papworth Hospital. In July 2024, I moved to a finance developmental role with RPH and the C&P system, focusing on Specialised Commissioning delegation and learning and development within the C&P system.
Having started as a part time band 3 finance assistant with what was then Huntingdonshire Primary Care Group, I have seen the opportunities that the NHS gives for personal and professional development. I took my financial qualifications firstly through AAT and then CIMA, qualifying in 2005.
I have a passion for learning and development both of finance and non-finance colleagues and strive to make improvements in the opportunities we provide. I lead the L&D ambassador group at RPH and the C&P system L&D group and am also a Health and Wellbeing champion. I am proud of the progress made at RPH and in the C&P system and am happy to speak to anyone who would like any advice, guidance, or support.
I have seen the benefits and opportunities that networking provides and wholeheartedly encourage everyone to be part of the movement that is NHS Finance. Join us by being part of the Value Maker community and realise those benefits for yourself, your team and your organisation.
Sarah Brisbane, Head of Financial Development, Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust