Picture of Leadership
Please provide us with a picture of yourself
Question: Can you describe your career story to Regional Director of Finance (RDOF)?
Answer:
I have had a bit of a varied route into the RDoF role. I started in the NHS on the financial graduate management training scheme straight from university where I was placed in a mental health trust and after that I undertook various finance roles in a PCT, Acute Trust, Clinical Commissioning Group and latterly as a DoF in an Ambulance Trust. I feel my varied background has given me a great foundation for the RDoF role where understanding the perspective of different colleagues in the system is vital. I feel really lucky that throughout my career I have had great support and mentorship from senior colleagues which has allowed me to feel brave enough to continue to challenge myself and develop further.
Question: What do you enjoy most about being a RDOF?
Answer:
I have really enjoyed working with nationally colleagues in my RDoF role and having the opportunity to input into policy development using my experience of working in the sector. It is a great privilege to be able to represent the finance community in these conversations and hopefully help shape frameworks which support colleagues who are delivering day in and day out within their organisations. I have also been mighty impressed with the skills, knowledge and values of finance colleagues within NHS England both locally in Region and Nationally who show a high level of commitment to improving delivery to support patients and staff.
The RDoF network has been incredible and colleagues really helped me in the initial weeks and months of being in post. The support from this network really makes a difference when you are in the role which can on occasion feel a bit isolated.
Question: What do you find most challenging in being a RDOF?
Answer:
The RDoF role is focused most of the time on dealing with the most challenged situations which can be intensive and mean you are having to balance giving the hard messages alongside supporting colleagues. My role also covers a vast geography which makes it challenging to be visible and manage the pressures of the role at the same time. I have become very adept at working on trains which has helped navigate this a bit!
Question: How do you cope with the pressure of your role and some of the tough decisions that you have to influence others to take?
Answer:
This is undoubtedly a hard part of the role but my support networks have been key alongside my coaching and mentoring relationships in the tough times. Having a strong sense of your own values and linking the decision-making back to this is really important in my view. I am deeply committed to the NHS and I try in all my tough decisions to link back to the care I would want for my family and friends and how I feel the decision making would positively contribute.
Question: Were there any role models who gave you a sense of what it is to be a leader or helped you on your journey?
Answer:
Really tough question to answer as there have been so many fantastic individuals I have worked with over the years who have been role models to me. One special mention was a previous CEO who led the organisation I was in through a really tough time with complete integrity and a real deep commitment to doing the right thing and not the easy thing whilst keeping the people in the organisation at the forefront of everything we did. I learnt so much from her and she will always be a massive inspiration to me. I often think of her when I am faced with a challenge and consider how she would approach it. I have also been really grateful for the support from my Regional Director who has guided me whilst settling into the new role and she herself was transitioning into post.
Question: When interviewing candidates for senior leadership roles, what are the top 3 attributes you look for?
Answer:
I always look for:
- Someone who has a strong sense of their own values and leads with integrity is really important to me especially in a senior leadership role where you are faced with challenging situations. Having this grounding is a great attribute for a senior finance leader.
- A curious and broad thinker I also think is key in these roles as being successful in a senior finance leadership position has the need to see the wider picture and join the dots between operational performance, quality, workforce and finance. Senior finance leaders are uniquely placed to support colleagues to be curious and work collaboratively to find the right answers to the wicked problems organisations and systems face.
- Someone who is willing to contribute to the wider development of the finance function and support colleagues to succeed is important. The finance network is a fantastic asset which I think all finance staff have benefited from so continuing to pay it forward for our future leaders is important.
Question: What one piece of advice would you give to those aspiring to senior finance leadership roles, knowing what you know about the barriers you faced?
Answer:
Ask for help and support! It is really that simple. I have never had anyone say no to an ask of support no matter how senior they were. There are so many great individuals working in the NHS who are keen to support others on their career journeys so don’t be shy. I also like to be around people who push me to develop and improve so make sure to surround yourself with colleagues who challenge you positively and help you gain a broader perspective.
Question: The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is #AccelerateAction – How are you accelerating action?
Answer:
I am a really keen supporter of our ED&I networks as well as supporting female colleagues to reach their aspirations. This years theme is focused around supporting the supporters and my commitment is to continue to support our network of colleagues on the initiatives which really matter to them and where they feel we can really make a difference.