I started my professional career as a Podiatrist working at different NHS Trusts in Buckinghamshire and Essex over a 15 year period. I also had a small private practice for a few years before I moved into more management type roles.
Working in health care was always what I wanted to do and, as my career developed, I realised there were many other interesting avenues my career could progress in. As Head of Podiatry at a combined acute and community Trust where we were providing a full range of community and acute Podiatry services, including surgical podiatry I became very interested in the management and leadership aspect of health and undertook a Post-Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management. This led me to develop a specific interest in training and development and I moved to a large London Teaching hospital to manage a project around continuing professional development.
I then moved to a National Role at the National Patient Safety Agency for 18 months working on patient safety projects related to Allied Health and Healthcare Science before moving into Higher Education. I have enjoyed all the roles I have undertaken and am grateful that my first degree enabled me to experience so many different career opportunities. Education is definitely where my heart lies, particularly facilitating students from all backgrounds and circumstances to have access to the same opportunities I have had.
Academic qualifications
- EdD Leaders and Leadership in Education – Thesis: Student Voice on Higher Education in Further Education and Implications for Leaders in Dual Sector Institutions in England, University of Birmingham.
- MA Education, Birmingham City University.
- MSc Human Resources (Development option), London South Bank University.
- BSc (Hons) Podiatric Medicine, Sunderland University.