Ade Adigun-Harris, Service Manager
Neda Hormozi, Senior Manager in Public Health
Pam Frost, Associate Director, Workforce Development
Richard Stubbs, Associate Director, World Class Commissioning
Sharon Gregory, Divisional General Manager
Ade Adigun-Harris
Service Manager, Cambridge University Hospital Foundation Trust
I joined the NHS in 1987 as a Planning Manager and have moved through a variety of roles since then - from Deputy Corporate Services Manager to Senior Commissioning Manager, through Health Agreements Manager to Service Delivery Manager, a six month secondment as Operational Manager and now as a Specialist Medicine Service Manager. So, the reason why I was initially attracted to work for the NHS - the opportunity for career development in management - has certainly rung true.
I’m managing patient services in specialist medicine by delivering development and commissioning, and right now, we’re working on a project to implement an eTriage system that improves GUM 48 hour access using the internet and text messaging. I’ve already reduced missed appointments by more than half by using text messaging, and reduced the average length of stay by developing and implementing planned medical elective admissions. But the highlight has to be leading a Breaking Through team to win ‘Best Team’ at the HSJ Challenge.
The programme promised - and delivered - lots of access to development and opportunity at senior level. I was confident I had the skills and experience, but I also knew these needed to be refined for much senior roles. I’ve found the programme to be very supportive and have already recommended it to colleagues - it really does provide the opportunities for networking, development and support we need as a group.
Having spent some time working on a national programme as Project Manager, my aim now is to achieve an Associate Director role within 18 months and then a Director of Operations role in either an acute trust or provider arm. And I’m pretty confident I can do it.
Neda Hormozi
Associate Director of Leadership Development - NHS Interim Management and Support (IMAS)
My first job was as postdoctoral research associate at Kings College, which I took while writing up my PhD thesis.
It gave me a chance to savour academic life, so when I decided to join the commercial sector I did so because I wanted to work with people, participate in the action and work towards tangible outcomes.
My first ‘proper job’ (as my family used to call it) was commissioning editor for glossy business journals with a London based publishing house. I stayed in the print and publishing industry at the most exciting time in its development, heading the cultural and technological transformation of a London based company as strategic buyer and deputy MD, setting up an English language department for a German publishing house.
I joined the NHS in 2004 to deliver on a failing smoking cessation KPI for my PCT and more crucially to participate in the delivery of the biggest public health agenda in my lifetime. With Smokefree England behind me, I was already looking for my next move within the NHS when I heard about the Breaking through programme.
The Top Talent Programme found me a very senior and supportive sponsor and a senior level placement. It promises a fascinating education programme over the course of the next 18 months. I look forward to getting into a position where I can ‘send the ladder back down’ (quote from Kevin Spacey).
I’d recommend Breaking Through to everyone who’s willing to take a challenge, and in fact I already do.
Pam Frost
Associate Director, Workforce Development
From the age of eleven I had aspirations to be a nurse. I commenced my nurse training in 1977. My first role after qualifying was working as a staff nurse on a surgical ward at the Royal Free Hospital, London. After several clinical roles in different specialities I became a ward sister caring for older people - this speciality remains dear to my heart today.
Whilst working as a ward sister I realised my interest and ability in teaching others and as a consequence undertook my postgraduate teacher training diploma at the Royal College of Nursing. Following this I became a senior lecturer, first at Middlesex University delivering multi-disciplinary post-graduate programmes, then back at the Royal Free Hospital. In 1996 I moved to become Learning and Development Manager at Surrey Heartlands NHS Trust, a mental health and learning disability provider trust. This was to be the first of a number of roles which incorporated becoming a CIPD Chartered Fellow and working in the area of human resources and workforce development.
More recently I worked as a Deputy Director Workforce Planning and Development with Surrey & Sussex Strategic Health Authority and from there moved back to work in a mental health and learning disability provider trust, an area of work that I feel very passionate about. I am currently working as an Interim Associate Director of Workforce in Surrey and Borders Partnership Foundation trust and I will be undertaking my placement for the Breaking Through programme as a Director for Learning and Development.
The programme appealed as an excellent way to develop myself and a route towards becoming a director in the NHS. The selection process was very impressive and the induction to the programme has really inspired me.
I’d really recommend the programme and I know that with its help I can get to where I want to be - a Director of Workforce within the next 5 years.
Richard Stubbs
Associate Director, World Class Commissioning - Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust
After graduating, I worked in the media both as a journalist and in TV production. It was a lot of fun but it didn’t give me a lot of satisfaction in terms of contributing to society. The need for a change led me to the NHS which I joined in 2002 through the Graduate Management Trainee scheme - the career and development benefits were also a strong influencing factor. My first role was an Operational Manager for NHS Direct and I also spent time working alongside Professor Beverly Alimo-Metcalfe, undertaking research into the transformational leadership competencies of chairs and non-exec directors.
Before joining the programme I was Head of Business Development at Doncaster & Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust where my lead responsibilities included practice-based commissioning, marketing and patient choice.
I applied for Breaking Through because I wanted to take my skills and knowledge to the next level and the Top Talent Programme offered the opportunity for focused, intensive development. I was impressed with the recruitment process and in particular the Development Centre. I found it tough but it also uncovered a lot about my leadership style.
In five years, I’d like to think I’ll still be with the NHS. As it’s an organisation that moves so quickly it’s impossible to say what the opportunities are or where I’ll be, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see me in a senior commissioning role.
Sharon Gregory
Divisional General Manager, Kingston Hospital NHS Trust, Women and Children’s Health
I joined the NHS in 1993, attracted by the diversity of opportunity. I joined straight from university having completed a Masters degree in Business Administration and Personnel Management. I was fortunate to be able to join Multifund, a pioneering initiative consisting of many GP practices across the entire Birmingham catchment area. I then went on to be an Assistant Manager at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals in Cardiac services, then taking a Business Manager position in Primary care in a community health trust. Next I moved into a Business/Reprovision Manager role for Mental Health services which included the development of an Inpatient Acute Psychiatric Unit and planning for the closure of Stone House Hospital, Dartford. I also undertook a 6 month secondment at West Kent Health Authority where I led a project to introduce a mental health community support scheme across Medway/Swale.
I saw the programme as an opportunity to broaden my horizons, progress my career, gain exposure to new opportunities and developments, and an opportunity to take advantage of ongoing mentoring and coaching. What’s been most interesting is meeting with other, likeminded individuals. I’ve really enjoyed learning from and networking with senior members of staff at executive level.
The programme has already given me a sense of achievement, but I’ve got even bigger aspirations. I wouldn’t mind being the female, NHS equivalent to the American presidential candidate, Barack Obama! A Chief Executive position would be fabulous, but I know I need to gain lots more experience and confidence first. What’s most important to me is making a direct and positive contribution to achieving world class health services for patients.