About Me
An experienced professional with a robust background in strategy, policy development, and organisational governance. Possesses extensive expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and developing collaborative partnerships. Successfully managed complex programmes such as the £50m+ Better Care Fund for health and care integration and led the development and implementation of the Kirklees Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Proficient in driving change initiatives and fostering cross-sector collaboration to enhance outcomes and address inequalities.
Key Skills
- ✔️ Leadership: Effective in complex, multi-stakeholder settings
- ✔️ Strategic thinking: Excels in creating innovative health and wellbeing strategies.
- ✔️ Collaboration: Builds and maintains strong cross-sector partnerships.
- ✔️ Project management: Manages large-scale projects smoothly.
- ✔️ Analytical thinking: Skilled in policy development and data analysis.
Work History
2015 - present
Supporting the local, mayoral, and general election process - managing polling stations, vote counting and enrolling new voters.
2024 - 2025
Research field worker (part-time) for the UKs leading social research organisation.
2017 - 2023
Worked across health, care and wellbeing partners in Kirklees and West Yorkshire.
- Developed strategic partnerships and governance systems to promote health and wellbeing, including the Kirklees Health and Wellbeing Board and West Yorkshire Integrated Care System
- Led the development and implementation of the Kirklees Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Kirklees Joint Strategic Assessment
- Managed the £50m+ Better Care Fund pooled budget to drive health and social care integration
- Led on social care workforce strategy and learning and organisational development in Kirklees
2020 - 2022
Co-ordinated the distribution of several million items of emergency PPE for all Councils across West Yorkshire and the Covid Vaccination programme for 10,000+ social care and community staff in Kirklees
2010 - 2017
Led a multi-disciplinary team of development officers working across the Council and its partners on key strategic programmes to improve health and social care commissioning and service delivery
1999 - 2010
Supported senior managers across the Council and its partners to develop strategies, plans and services to promote healthier communities and tackle health inequalities
- Learning and Organisational Development Manager for a health authority through two re-organisations
- Taught on undergraduate and post-graduate programmes and tutor/assessor for training qualifications
- Developed NVQs for the national Industry Lead Body for the museums, galleries, and heritage sector.
- Managed teams delivering youth and adult vocational skills programmes.
Top 10 Career Highlights
- Successfully led the development and implementation of the Kirklees Health and Wellbeing Strategy, improving health outcomes for local communities.
- Managed the £50m+ Better Care Fund, driving integration between health and social care services.
- Coordinated the distribution of millions of PPE items during the Covid-19 pandemic across West Yorkshire.
- Led the Covid Vaccination programme for social care staff in Kirklees, ensuring timely access to vaccines.
- Developed strategic partnerships with health and care organisations to enhance service delivery.
- Implemented a social care workforce strategy to improve recruitment and retention in Kirklees.
- Chaired the Kirklees Health and Wellbeing Board, fostering collaboration across sectors.
- Contributed to national research on health inequalities through roles with the National Centre for Social Research.
- Led multi-disciplinary teams to deliver complex projects in health and social care.
- Advocated for community engagement in health policy development, enhancing local participation.
Education
- ✔️ MA in Leading Innovation and Change in Healthcare, University of York
- ✔️ Qualified Youth and Community Worker
- ✔️ Postgraduate Diploma in Public Sector Management, University of Huddersfield
- ✔️ BA Honours in Community Studies
Non-executive experience
2005 - 2025
- Chaired Trustee Board and committees focused on Remuneration, Income Generation, Partnerships and Strategy Development
- Led the Trustee Board in developing Covid response strategy and recruitment of new Chief Executive and external Trustee Board Chair
2006 - 2015
Led multi-agency partnership board for local sport and recreation strategy development
2004 - 2011
Founded and ran a practical conservation group dedicated to enhancing a Local Nature Reserve