Bio:
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!
