Getting to know our people

Do you have a story to tell?

We are always looking for opportunities to celebrate the fantastic contributions colleagues make both in and outside of work.

We are excited to hear about your recent news, successes, and achievements! Whether it’s a professional milestone, a personal triumph, or a team accomplishment, we would love to celebrate and share it in our weekly staff bulletin.

If you are interested or have an idea, please contact the communications team at ddicb.communications@nhs.net and someone will be in touch to talk it through with you in more detail.

Staff stories so far

Karen Lloyd

The ICB has a legal, moral, and ethical duty to ensure people and communities are put at the heart of our decision making.

My role as Head of Engagement and Insight is to support everyone in the ICB to do this by building meaningful relationships with people and communities (by communities we mean by interest, need, and identity as well as geography) in Derbyshire, so we can build an accurate and deep understanding of community experiences, needs, ideas and ambitions related to their health and care. We then use this insight to address health inequalities, improve, change and transform services, and improve the health outcomes of people and communities by translating community led insight into action. Not just our own action, but social action in communities.

I do this role with the support of an absolutely amazing team, who support me to influence practice in the ICB. If -Carlsberg did teams – they would be it!

My role makes a difference because:

I truly care about the work I do, and the importance of ensuring we never lose sight of people, patients and their communities in our decision making. I think now more than ever, my role and that of my team is crucial given the strain I feel everyone is under to do more in less time, and more with less money.

At the centre of our decisions is patients who have to manage the ‘impact’ of those decisions. Those impacts can be positive and lead to life saving treatment and care, but they can also be negative leading to people not receiving the care they need, with severe consequences for their health and wellbeing. We should never lose sight of that in every decision we make.

How I can support colleagues:

My team offers advice and guidance on all aspects of involving people and communities and will support you through the best way to do this, to meet the needs of your programme of work. We are a really friendly bunch, or we like to think so!

How I came to be here: 

Before I came to the ICB, I was the Chief Executive of Healthwatch Derbyshire, and gave the ICB (or CCG as it was then) just after Chris Clayton had just taken up his post as CEO. I’m sure I gave him a lot of work to do in manging media interest that I had created, and I’m sure people here felt a bit indifferently about me at the time! Following this I decided that it might be easier, and less stressful to try to influence the way the ICB worked, from the inside, so I applied for the job of Head of Engagement. Thankfully, Sean Thornton (Director of Communications and Engagement) didn’t hate me, and the rest is history!

You may not know this, but…

I’m running the London Marathon in April this year to raise money for Retina UK, which supports people with hereditary eye conditions. I’ve raised £2,100 so far. I love running (more so in the summer), for both the social side, as I’m part of a running club, but also because it ensures I can keep up with my two grandsons who are tw0 and five! You can find out more about my marathon fundraising here (opens in new window).

Top dinner party guests: 

• Tom Holland or Toby Maguire – as I have a bit of a thing for Spider-Man! They would need to arrive in character, but I’m not bothered about Andrew Garfield!
• Davina McCall – I absolutely adore her and admire all she’s done to raise awareness of the menopause. She is also just amazing for a woman in her 50s and normalises just doing what makes you happy. Her zest for life is infectious and mirrors my own.
• I can’t think of a third guest, I’m not really that sociable!

Favourite food: 

Warbuton’s crumpets. I have pretty much lived on crumpets for most of my life, but they must be spread with lots of Lurpak butter.

Favourite holiday destination: 

Dubai as it’s a winter paradise – I hate winter by the way! If I could move all my nearest and dearest there and live on the Palm in winter, I would! I wonder if the ICB will let me work remotely from Dubai…

Tracy Gilbert

JUCD Organisational Development Consultant – which sounds grander than it really is!  Organisational development  for me is about helping to shape the culture of an organisation or system, to help it be effective, aligned with its goals, looking ahead, and adapting for the future, and to be a great place to work! I support leadership development, team working, talent management and pretty much anything else that helps individuals to improve at work.  

I like to think I make a difference in my role because…

The role has a big focus on leadership, and for me that’s about treating each other with respect, being kind and compassionate, and generally just being a good human being.

And I’m here to help if I can and will always try to, and I’m a good listener!

How I can help you and your colleagues…

I’m here to support with individual and team development and always keen to hear from anyone who may need some support. But also love to hear what’s working well in your teams and how we can learn from each other. I’m a qualified coach which is something I’m quite passionate about and giving everyone the opportunity to have space to think and reflect.

How I came to be at NHS Derby and Derbyshire

I’ve been at Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust (DCHS) for the last 16 years which is where some of you will know me from. I started as performance manager, pulling together the board report, went on to do the annual plan, then contracts and tenders and all things strategy. I had a couple of years out on secondment as Business Manager to Erewash GP Federation before going back to DCHS and to the Strategy Team. I’d had a developing interest and passion for organisational development work and had been working in the system space for some time doing this, so this role allows me to continue my passion!

You may not know this about me, but…

I have a degree in zoology! No, I didn’t want to work in a zoo, and yes it does sometimes come in useful!

Top three dinner party guests

So many people I’d love to talk to, and the list will change depending on what day and mood you get me. Today I’ve gone for –

Robert Winston – my hero at university, as the pioneer of IVF and a lead in so many areas of women’s health.

Dian Fossey – I’d love to know more about the woman behind the story not just what is portrayed in the film (Gorilla’s in the mist)

Billy Connelly – because he’s a genius and his observations are spot on, and he always makes me laugh. 

Favourite food

Probably Italian but then I always love a good fish dish – just don’t add in mussels or anything like that!

Favourite holiday destination

Would always be New Zealand – it’s a wonderful place and has a lot of history for me and lots of great memories. And its where my sister and her family are, so lots of reason to want to be there – if only it wasn’t so far away!!

But give me an option to travel and be somewhere new and I’ll take that opportunity too! 

Nicola Wilmot

I am Senior Project Support for Children and Young People (CYP), within the CYP, Mental Health (MH), Learning Disabilities and Autism (LD&A) Directorate and my role includes supporting the Children and Young People’s Delivery Board, supporting the Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) in Children and Young People’s EHCPs. I’m also currently supporting a procurement to help get Nursing support into Special Schools in Derby and Derbyshire. I really enjoy being part of the D&IN Network and occasionally chair here and there if I can, amongst other bits and bobs!

My role makes a difference because:

I’m passionate about compassionate care for children and young people’s mental and physical health. I’m a firm believer that if we get it right with children and young people we can create a much healthier future, both mentally and physically. We’ve all been children and young people at one point, and whatever adults may go through, whether that be physical illness, mental health issues, discrimination or worries, children and young people all go through it too unfortunately.

How I can support colleagues:

I always try to be helpful where I can and am able to pick things up fairly quickly. If I can do something to help, I will, so if anyone needs anything from our directorate – just shout (or email or Teams, whichever you fancy!). I’d also like to think I can help the most by listening and being there for a chat. Sometimes getting stuff off your chest and sharing a problem can make the word seem a little lighter.

How I came to be here: 

I started back in November of 2016 at the age of 17 as an apprentice after a year of A-Levels. I was interviewed by Claire Wagner and Alex Albus and I got a job as an Apprentice Admin Assistant for Children’s and Maternity – as the team was called back then – for North Derbyshire CCG. I’ve only ever worked in the NHS and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

I’ve done a lot of different bits and bobs over the past eight-and-a-bit years, mainly in children’s but had a year’s stint in Information Governance and Digital which I also enjoyed.

In my time here, I’ve completed two apprenticeships, and I’m currently / hopefully about to finish my Level 5 in Commissioning for Wellbeing. I’ve been an Apprentice, Band 2, 3 and now a Band 4, and have been redeployed twice – once to the vaccination sites during the pandemic and then also to the Operational Control Centre. I’ve turned 18, 21, and passed my driving test (twice, no not because I got banned, I’m not that bad!) so its been a busy time!

You may not know this, but…

• I originally passed in an automatic car but then decided to learn manual and passed at the start of the year (hence passing my driving test twice!)
• I helped teach my mum to drive and she passed the week before my second test which was brilliant
• I had EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) as a teen, which is why I’m so passionate now about children and young people’s mental and physical health
• I was redeployed to a mass vaccination clinic, but I’m massively scared of needles! This helped me overcome the phobia a little as unsurprisingly it’s pretty common and I held the hands of a fair few people (and caught one or two after they fainted) – but I’m glad I did it
• I have a massive English Mastiff, called Tinkerbell, who you might hear snoring or barking if you call me on Teams!

Top dinner party guests: 

• My Nanna, who passed in 2019
• Tom Hardy
• My team at work – they’re interesting people with interesting lives and I like to hear peoples stories (sorry, is that cheating?)

Favourite food: 

Camembert! I love a bit of cheese.

Favourite holiday destination: 

I love Cornwall with my partner, but stick me on a plane to somewhere warm and I’m happy.

Chris Weiner

I am the Chief Medical Officer and am responsible for clinical leadership across the NHS and wider organisational within Derby City and Derbyshire.

My role makes a difference because:

I am a huge believer in the NHS and all people being able to access healthcare that is free at the point of delivery – this is especially important for those people that face the greatest health inequalities. I want to play a part in ensuring that we hand over a strong and effective NHS to our next generation and all those people that will need our services.

How I can support colleagues:

By developing the local population health management approach and the use of data and intelligence to help good people make good decisions.

How I came to be here: 

I was inspired by the shared desire from organisations across the Derby and Derbyshire system to work together and transform health outcomes for local citizens.

You may not know this, but…

I have recently taken up Olympic weightlifting. A sport I never would have imagined wanting to take up – but it is a bit of a fun challenge… I’m definitely a beginner!

Top dinner party guests: 

• The singer, Nina Simone
• The adventurer, Bill Tilman
• The Nobel Prize winning physicist, Richard Feyneman

I’d just like to hear what they have to say about life.

Favourite food: 

I have a bit of a sweet tooth, especially for milk puddings like Umm Ali, Rasmalai or bread and butter pudding.

Favourite holiday destination: 

The Outback, Australia.

Clive Newman

I am the Director of Primary Care at the ICB, and the team is responsible for the commissioning and development of general practice, pharmacists, optometrists and dentists.  

My role makes a difference because:

I’m very good at telling my team to do what they’ve already done, whilst they nod politely! The team makes a difference because it coordinates all things primary care. Without primary care, the system would be in a much more difficult position.  

How I can support colleagues:

Primary care can feel like a different country and we can help you navigate it.  There are lots of lovely people working out there and, as they never tire of telling me, they can get things done. So if you want to shift work out of hospital, try out a new idea, change a pathway or just want to pick the team’s collective brain on how complicated it all is, then we’re the team for you.   

How I came to be here: 

I arrived at Scarsdale in early 1996 and hid in a cupboard – and I’m still here now! 

You may not know this, but…

I met Jacob Rees Mogg at university. I wasn’t his biggest fan.

Top dinner party guests: 

• Lana Del Ray, because she’s a song writing genius

• Marilynne Robinson, because I’m showing off that I’ve read her books

• Jarvis Cocker, because, well, he’s Jarvis Cocker!

Favourite food: 

Anything out of a jar after 10pm.

Favourite holiday destination: 

North Yorkshire.  Or just being in front of the telly watching All Creatures Great and Small. 

Amanda Orme

My role (Corporate PA to Sean Thornton and Admin Support to Lee Radford) as a PA is to assist and support the Corporate Directors, EA / PA Team with administrative tasks, managing schedules, coordinate meetings, take notes and minute meetings, make bookings for travel and events, send emails on behalf of my director, and respond to email enquiries. I am also a member and admin support for both OEIG and the D&IN and manage both the Inclusion and the Corporate Development inboxes.

My role makes a difference because:

I make sure my director can be where they are meant to be and help to keep their day running as smoothly as possible. 

How I can support colleagues:

Firstly, I have always been a compassionate and approachable person (I wear my heart on my sleeve). I always make the time to listen and support people where possible, if I am unable to answer a question, I will endeavour to find the answer or a solution and feedback or signpost to the most appropriate person for help.

How I came to be here: 

Before working in the ICB, I worked in the Imaging Department at UHDB as a Clerical Supervisor. I came into working in the NHS in January 2000 as an apprentice, working four days and one day at college to gain an NVQ in Administration and IT (Levels 2 and 3). During the second year of the apprenticeship, I and my now husband wanted a place to call our own which required me earning more than £50 a week which was the current wage as an apprentice (would not get a week’s food shop for that now!). A vacancy came up within the team I worked in, and I became an official clerical officer within the team.

Fast forward 22 years, having progressed from Clerical Officer/Pathway Support Officer to a Clerical Supervisor and known as the oracle of Ultrasound team, I was unable to progress in my role due to having to to work part time hours. I decided I needed a change and due to my own lived experiences, a better work / home life balance and flexibility of hybrid working. It was a massive step (for me anyway) and for Beverley Smith for taking me under her wing, but here I am.

You may not know this, but…

• My dream car is a Ford Mustang GT 5L V8
• I love my music, especially Bon Jovi and the sound of an electric guitar
• I think I have more Lego then my 12-year-old
• I love Disney films and anything mythical and supernatural i.e. fairies, unicorns, vampires and werewolves
• My MUST watch over Halloween is Hocus Pocus and Practical Magic (it is the law!)
• I have recently found an interest, but some might say an obsession, in Spirit/Chakra Crystals.

Top dinner party guests: 

Only three! My choices have no similarity whatsoever, but it would be a very interesting dinner party, I think.

• Bon Jovi (or just Jon if I can only three guests)
• Halliwell Sisters from Charmed (or again at least one of them)
• Dwayne Johnson

Favourite food: 

Hard to choose as I have a lot of favourites but if I had to pick one, pizza (from a Takeaway). Cadbury’s chocolate has a solid place, as you got to have sweet after savoury.

Favourite holiday destination: 

I am not well travelled (joys of having a mortgage at eighteen), but before having my son, it would be my holiday in Bulgaria. Holidays have been in the UK since family life and without a doubt my favourite place is Cornwall, closely followed by Isle of Wight. It’s on my bucket list to live in Cornwall or on the Isle of Wight.

Chrissy Tucker

My role as Director of Corporate Governance and Assurance is very varied and I work with my teams on the corporate governance systems and processes which support the delivery of our statutory duties and the safety of the organisation. These include Digital and Information Governance, Risk Management, Complaints and PALs, Corporate Planning and delivery, EPRR and Health and Safety (including fire), Business Continuity, System Assurance and Oversight, Sustainability and the smooth running of the ICB Board secretariat function, together with corporate estates and corporate administration.

My role makes a difference because:

In the Corporate Team, we provide services and support to the whole organisation – we work with most teams in the ICB in one way or another and that is also a benefit to us – we get to meet a lot of people in the organisation.

How I can support colleagues:

I can usually answer questions or provide help on any corporate matters, but I have also worked at this organisation or its predecessors for about 15 years (wow – only just realised that!) so if I can’t help directly myself, I will usually know someone who can.

How I came to be here: 

I started working in the NHS in 2002 after a varied career initially as a legal secretary and latterly as a marketing manager.  I joined the NHS as a Service Improvement Manager in the Cancer Network, and someone advised me to join a commissioning organisation to broaden my NHS experience – that was Derby City PCT and I haven’t had to move roles since as my role has regularly changed form since then.

You may not know this, but…

I used to work for a wine company that was based at Cardinal Square (known as Eastgate House in those days) – hard to imagine, but we had a staff shop on site selling beer, wine, and spirits and it wasn’t unusual to see people having wine or beer with their lunch!

Top dinner party guests: 

I’d have Stanley Tucci to sort the cocktails and cook, and to enjoy his very dry sense of humour, my Dad for his story-telling and entertainment skills, and Stephen Fry to generally raise the tone.

Favourite food: 

Anything I haven’t had to cook – it always tastes better when someone else has made it!  If I had to pick a cuisine I would be torn between Greek and Italian and of course it’s even better if you are actually in that country.

Favourite holiday destination: 

There are many countries I haven’t yet managed to visit so this answer may change in the future, but my most memorable holiday was in Sri Lanka – I had only ever previously been to Europe and it was so different; the culture, the landscape, the people – just stunning!

Jo Hunter

I am one of the two Deputy Chief Nurses in the Nursing and Quality Directorate, SRO for SEND and Chief Nursing Information Officer, in addition to deputising for the Chief Nurse – my role is very varied.  On one side of my team, we cover All Age Continuing Care and complex case assurance and governance, while the other team covers quality monitoring assurance and improvement for DCHS, DHcFT, the Derbyshire aspects of 111 and 999 services, Hospices, Care Homes with nursing beds, end of life (EOL) care, the Independent Mental Health hospitals in Derbyshire and LeDeR.  The Designated Clinical Officer for SEND also works to me.

My role makes a difference because:

I am a very experienced nurse; I really enjoy my role and am committed to making a difference to the population of Derbyshire.  I have a great network of people that I can call on across the system to support my work and that of my team.

How I can support colleagues:

Please just get in touch about any of the areas of work I have described, and I will see what I can do, if I am not the right person, I will signpost you to where you can find the assistance you need.

How I came to be here: 

I grew up in Matlock and then in 1979, moved away to do my nurse and then midwifery training working in North and South Yorkshire for nine years.  I returned to Derbyshire in 1988 to work as a Midwife in Buxton and with the exception of an 18-month foray into South Yorkshire, have worked in Derbyshire ever since.  I was the Deputy Chief Nurse in Derbyshire Community Health Services from 2007 up to starting my current role within the ICB in August 2022. 

You may not know this, but…

I swam in the trials for the 1974 Olympics in backstroke and butterfly – I failed to make the cut!

Top dinner party guests: 

• Robert Plant
• Carl Hester
• Henry Cole

Favourite food: 

Italian and British

Favourite holiday destination: 

Staying at home and then Somerford Park in Cheshire for camp with my horse.

Sue Taylor

I am Senior Prescription Coordinator and am a Team Leader for the Medicine Order Line, looking after a team of operators who help patients manage their medication.

My role makes a difference because: 

I have seen the team grow from five operatives to now we have over 50 located over two sites (Ilkeston and Scarsdale). Over the years I have got to know some of the regular patients and this contact with patients really helped when Covid-19 hit as we were the only contact some of our patients had. It was a tough time for those that lived on their own who were worried they wouldn’t get their medication. We all as a team could reassure the patient that their medication was ordered and have a general conversation with them.

How I can support colleagues: 

I can help to spread messages relating to medications and their safety within these practices.

How I came to be here: 

I had formerly worked at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital as a File Clerk which involved moving files from one department to another – I certainly got my daily steps in. I applied for the post of a Phone Operative with the Medicine Order Line which sparked my interest as it was a new project, looking at what and when patients order their medicine and to save the NHS money in medicine wastage and I joined the small team of five a few weeks later. That was six years ago and has now grown to over 50 Operatives, assisting 93 surgery’s, with over one million patients in Derbyshire.

You may not know this, but…

I lived in Florida for four years in a town called Bradenton on the Gulf Coast. This is the town that was hit by Hurricane Helena and Milton in October 2024. I was born to wear flip flops.

In my younger years I also enrolled in a rally car school and learnt how to drive a rally car. I also love cake, so I made this into my hobby and enjoy being creative in baking celebration cakes for friends and family.  I also have two children, Hannah and James, and one adorable grandson, called Harry.

Top dinner party guests: 

• George Clooney
• Michelle Obama
• Jon Bonjovi

Favourite food: 

Italian – who doesn’t like pasta or pizza? Oh, and cake!

Favourite holiday destination: 

Florida, mainly for friends and the Gulf Coast has the best beaches. Italy comes in a close second.

Marie Davies

I am one of the Lead Pharmacy Technicians for the Derbyshire Prescription Service which incorporates the Medicine Order Line and the Practice Medicine Coordinator team.

My role makes a difference because:

I work with all our GP practices in Derbyshire to support them with efficient repeat prescribing processes. This ensures patients have timely and safe access to their medicines. Efficient processes reduce medicine waste and duplication of work which therefore enables practices to better handle increased patient volumes.

It is important that all patients receive consistent and high-quality care and supporting streamlined processes enables timely interventions and therefore improved patient experience.

How I can support colleagues:

We are a direct patient facing service and over the eight years the Medicine Order Line (MOL) has been operational, I have supported the development of a wonderful team and adapted training to match the evolving service. I enjoy offering training on multiple repeat prescribing processes as well as supporting staff who work directly with our Derbyshire GP practices and community pharmacies.

How I came to be here: 

I joined North Derbyshire CCG in 2014 as a Medicines Management Technician before moving to a more project-based role supporting Hardwick CCG. One of my main focuses during this time was continence and stoma prescribing which started the ball rolling for a dedicated prescription ordering line; the MOL was born! I am back supporting project developments again with increasing electronic repeat dispensing my main aim.

You may not know this, but…

When I’m not hanging upside down from an aerial hoop, I am usually found laid prone shooting targets up to 500 yards away with my rifle.

Top dinner party guests:

• David Attenborough – I would love to hear all about his time spent travelling the globe

• Steven Rinella – for all his exciting hunting stories

• Steven Fry – for his humour, intellect and quick wit!

Favourite food:

I like nearly all foods but something slightly spicy with noodles would hit the spot!

Favourite holiday destination: 

I love holidays and finding new and exciting destinations. My favourites would span two very different holiday styles – one being exploring the lakes and outside space in Canada, the other being looking for wildlife in Thailand.

David Beardow

Job title and description of role:

Emergency Preparedness Resilience Response and Health and Safety Officer in the EPRR/Health and Safety team for the ICB. I support the Assistant Director of EPRR to ensure that the portfolio of work tasks/projects are planned, managed and delivered effectively, supporting and providing advice to staff on the delivery of Health & Safety and Fire & Security within the ICB.

My role makes a difference because: 

In my role because health and safety are the most important part of keeping employees safe and well within our organisation.  This means supporting staff with issues, queries and providing the right guidance when requested.

You may not know this but…

Outside of work, I enjoy playing both electric and acoustic guitar, and I regularly volunteers at Pet Samaritans Animal Sanctuary and Wildlife Rescue Centre in Chesterfield. This involves feeding the animals, helping at fundraising events, maintenance of the sanctuary and dealing with the public when sick or injured animals are brought in. 

The sanctuary cares for neglected and abandoned pets, including cats, kittens, dogs, hedgehogs, ferrets, birds, snakes, guinea pigs, rabbits and tortoises helping them find loving homes. It also rescues and rehabilitates local wildlife in need. With no government funding, it relies entirely on community donations and support. To learn more, donate, or see upcoming Christmas events, follow the link below.

Animal Sanctuary & Wildlife Rescue with the Pet Samaritans

Top four dinner party guests:

Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, Nick Rhodes – Always been a massive Duran Duran fan.

Favourite food:

Roast beef Sunday dinner with plenty of roast potatoes.

Favourite holiday destination:

Amalfi Coast in Italy, the scenery is stunning and I love Italian food.

Adrian Brezinskis

I provide administrative support to Places, Place Partnership Boards for Derby City and the county and cover for the Integrated Place Executive in the absence of the Project Officer.

These Partnership meetings aim to bring together both statutory bodies and the voluntary sector to coproduce transformation, add value and further integrate health and social care support that allows individuals to remain in their own home. I really enjoy my role as every day is different and varied and my experience across the public sector and partnership working gives me a clear insight to support the key partners.

My role makes a difference because:

I have a wide range of skills and knowledge, and have experience in a range of roles over thirty years across the NHS and public sector, including:

• NHS Contracts Management of Community Services
• NHS Commissioning, Discharge Management
• Social Care Services (Mental Health and Autism) management and inspection
• Safety and Trauma based Intervention
• Housing, Community/Tenant Development and Tenant Management Organisations
• Value for Money
• Governance and Assurance
• Procurement
• Partnerships
• Transformation
• Data Quality
• Performance management

My wide range of experience, give me a range of skills that enable me to empathise and understand the issues across partners and help link up the dots. This is important working in a system like ours and helps me to better to understand the need of our colleagues and patients alike.

How I can support colleagues: 

I provide administrative support to quite a lot of the Places in Derby and Derbyshire. If you have, or think you have a Place-based query, just email or MS Teams call me and if I do not know, I will know who in the Place Team will.

I am a Mental Health First Aider and a person with lived experience with my own Mental Health Issues. I am a huge advocate for supporting those that need it.  I am proud of my role and would say that anyone who needs to talk, please feel free to come and chat.

How I came to be here: 

I joined the ICB in 2022 and have family locally, as I grew up in Erewash (not Ear-Wash) in the 70s and 80s. Having spent more than 25 years in Hampshire. I made the move to Grantham before lockdown 2019, having missed Derbyshire and the Pennines by two counties to the east, as that was my original plan, and made the move to Derby in 2022 for my current job. I also felt the need to being closer to family who have under lying health conditions and to be nearer to provide support. 

You may not know this but…

I am part of the organising committee for a small Hampshire charity called ‘Andover Rocks’ that organises an annual two- to three-day mini festival. This was set up in 2017 and aims to organise and support activities and projects for people who need mental health support, through music, drama, poetry, and other performance art.

I work to proactively get people with lived experience involved in the planning, marketing, performing, and participating in the event. The first version was staged across six venues in the town, with over 200 performers, all of whom gave their time for free. £2,400 was raised in the first year alone and more than £10,000 since it started and provided seed corn money for several small community-based projects relating to mental health and the arts and music.

Top dinner guests: 

• Robert Smith from the band, The Cure
• Brian Blessed
• Ricky Gervais

One quiet, one loud and one opinionated – they would probably need to have staggered sessions as they would probably not get on together and one or more might walk off at any time.

Favourite food: 

Anything; but can’t beat a jacket potato cheese and beans as quick comfort food in winter. Otherwise, I like making meals from scratch and my favourite recipe is ‘cupboard / fridge surprise’. 

Holiday destination: 

Anywhere either completely sunny or snowy in the right season or would that be weird – no BBQs in winter. I am more of an explorer of the local historic and interests, with a little beach / pool sun thrown into the mix.

Scott Groom

I have recently joined the Communications team as Internal Communications Manager after spending nearly eight years working at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton firstly as Communications and Marketing Assistant for the private patient unit, before moving into the main Communications team, where I worked for almost six years.

At the time of writing this, I’m in just my third week here at the ICB, and the welcome that I’ve received from everyone that I have met so far has been nothing short of wonderful – so thank you to you all for making me feel so welcome.

I’m really excited to meet more of you over the coming weeks and months and working with you to help support you in communicating your successes, projects and updates across the organisation. There are some great projects on the horizon that I’ll be supporting with and I can’t wait to get going! Don’t be a stranger, if you want to reach out and say hello, please feel free to drop me a message.

My role makes a difference because:

I firmly believe that communications is a pillar to all NHS organisations, and we as a team have it within our gift to make a real difference not only to our patients and communities, but also to our colleagues. I’ve often described the communications function in the NHS as being the ‘voice’ of the organisation, and I really believe that. I want to hear from colleagues about their work, successes, projects, improvements and ideas to help you in your role – whether you’re in a clinical or non-clinical role. We’re here to support you!

How I can support colleagues:

My portfolio is focused on internal communications, so I’m here to support our colleagues to share their messages. Whether that be through our bulletins, on the intranet, or at Team Talk – I am here to help you share your messages in the best way possible. I work alongside other members of the team who ‘look after’ our external and campaigns workstreams, and we work really closely on making sure our content delivers the best results possible, so I can link you in with the rest of the team to ensure you get the support you need.

How I came to be here:

I graduated from University of Derby with a degree in journalism before taking a graduate job in the marketing team there. I then moved to the Burton Mail where I spent around two years working as Social Media Editor / Reporter / Digital Lead (jack of all trades!) before moving to my role at UHDB in 2019. During my time in the Communications team at UHDB, I was involved in internal and external communications, media and stakeholder management – which was great in terms of growing my skills and knowledge of working in the NHS and I hope will serve me well during my time here!

You may not know this but…

Although I’ve been living in Derbyshire for a while now, I’m actually from elsewhere in the Midlands. I grew up in Hinckley in Leicestershire and moved to Derby in 2012 when I went to university and have never gone home!

I also sing and play bass in a function band, but other than that, you can usually find me walking the dog, in the gym, listening to my records, sitting in a café with a good coffee, or sniffing out some of the lesser heard of craft beers in Derbyshire’s wealth of pubs!

Top dinner guests:

Really tricky! I’d have to go for:

• John Mayer (my musical idol). I am a huge fan of his, have been to three of his concerts and even have the some of the same tattoos as him. I’d love to discuss all things music – and his amazing watch collection (I’m also big into watches!)
• Jürgen Klopp. I’m a huge Liverpool fan so would love to meet him for that reason, but also just for what I imagine would be a life changing conversation. He’s a man that speaks about things close to my heart!
• Last but by no means least, my wife, Ellie. I couldn’t think of anyone better to share this with!

Favourite food:

Might be a bit of a cliché, but pizza. There’s never a bad time for pizza. That and pick and mix sweets.

Holiday destination:

So hard to choose just one! New York is right up there, as is Amsterdam, the Lake and Peak Districts, and Brussels. There are many, many more places on the list that I’m determined to get to in the coming years.

Emma Plummer

Before we get onto to the other questions. I just want to say a massive thank you for all your support and good wishes for Sam’s Big Scoot that I participated in a couple of weeks ago. We all completed the full 53 miles over 3 days and I had the best time (despite trying to organise a splinter group on day one to bin the whole thing and just go for a boozy lunch instead – I was so nervous!) It was hard going at times (the hills..) and day 3 was horrendous as it rained all day and we got so wet that it really didn’t matter anymore but we did it! I met some awesome people and I had the best time ever. Thanks again. We have raised over £16k so far and my friend has had several messages from families affected by FIRES to personally thank her for the work she is doing to raise awareness and help fund research into this devastating condition.

Job title and description of role

Senior Place Lead (Amber Valley) and Enhanced Health in Care Homes Programme Lead.

My Place role involves working with members of the Amber Valley Place Alliance to develop a shared vision that incorporates local priorities and reflects strategic and local population health and care needs. It is important for the place lead to promote, and help ensure that the Place principles of collaboration, partnership working, and integration are promoted as a means of improving services and outcomes.

My Care Home role is to lead on the planning and delivery of the Enhanced Health in Care Homes Programme to ensure that people living in care homes can expect the same level of care and support as if they were living in their own home and for care homes to feel valued and respected as system partners. We are about to implement an ambitious project around falls management with care homes that have higher volumes of falls. The aim is to enable more people to be cared for at home, thus improving experience of care and reducing unnecessary conveyance to hospital. The work is important as falls are one of the most common reason care homes call EMAS and often results in conveyance when care could be provided ‘at home’ with the right level of support.

I like to think I make a difference in my role because…..

I genuinely love people and am quite curious which helps with this job. I firmly believe that positive and effective working relationships and a collaborative effort to achieve success of shared goals is the best way to improve. It’s not just me that thinks this. It’s evidence based!

How I can help you and your colleagues….

I think there is a phrase or quote that says something like, ‘those that do the work make the change’.  In our system this often means people working in our Places amongst our communities. There is a lot of power, and truth, in this and I would urge people to come and speak to us if a collaborative and local approach to an issue is a means of improving care and outcomes. We are a nice bunch so come and speak to us!

How I came to be at NHS Derby and Derbyshire

I started work in the NHS in 2004. Back then we were the Derbyshire Dales and South Derbyshire Primary Care Trust. A few re-organisations and variations of different roles later and here I am!

You may not know this about me, but….

I am a qualified scuba diver. Now also an elite scooter-ist (obviously!)

Top three dinner party guests

1. My grandad. He died when I was 20 and I would love to have another chance to speak to him about his life (now that I am of an age where I can really appreciate this!)
2. Stephen Fry – I think he’s a great story teller and knows loads of interesting things.
3. Nessa from Gavin and Stacey as she makes me laugh and would ensure there was never a dull moment.

Favourite food

Tapas, Italian and desserts (except chocolate ones)  

Favourite holiday destination

At the minute Tenby is my favourite. We’ve had some great family holidays there and it ticks all the boxes for a being a very happy place.

Christina Jones

I head up the fabulous Communications team where we look after more than 60 enquiries a week, 40 Freedom of Information Requests a month,  produce three bulletins, engage with our 13,000 social media followers and respond to more than 80 communications enquiries. We also run engaging health campaigns, using the latest tools and techniques to affect behaviour change, leading people to make positive choices about their use of services and their self-care.

We aim to connect with and inform the ICBs key stakeholders (including all our wonderful staff!) in an accessible and interesting way, describing our mission and values as an ICB and convening and communicating with the wider ICS partners. We also look after the media in D+D, proactively pitching stories of interest and responding to their queries in a timely way. Why not have a look at some of our content on the website?  for example this week we just produced and published this film about the incredible work of Safe Havens. (all credit to Michael Howard).

Read more about the rest of the team and our objectives for the year in our presentation. 

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My role makes a difference because:

We can have a direct impact on patient care and people’s choices through our campaigns as well as protecting and enhancing the reputation of the ICB and ICS and the important work our clinicians, managers and workforce carry out every day. Whether this is in an administrative role, a back-office function or as a front-line clinician, I believe we all play a significant part in upholding the NHS service as free at the point of delivery, and everyone’s voice, story and work is important and should be heard.

How I can help you and colleagues

We can support teams with communications plans and advice and we’re here to guide the organisation and all teams with strategic communications planning. The earlier we know about your work and what you might need, the more useful we can be! Not only can we help with products and channels but often have good advice on whether a project will be well received and can offer advice on stakeholders’ current views. Come and visit us at our drop-in sessions starting next week in the Derby Council house! 

How I came to be here

I was a journalist in a previous life, working on a daily paper which was enormous fun. I was a health reporter and simply couldn’t resist getting onto the inside of the NHS to see how it all worked. Previous roles at Derbyshire PCT and Sheffield Children’s Hospital then led me to the NHS England press office where I worked for 11 years on some fascinating portfolios including the Long Term Plan roll out and the set up of integrated care systems. I then developed a passion for population health management and our use of analytics to find and understand high risk individuals and groups to tailor their care and prevent ill health. I love Derbyshire and live just over the border in Sheffield but spend lots of time running in the Derbyshire countryside so it’s great to be back working here again.

You may not know this but…

I play the violin/fiddle (mainly folk now but also classical/rock etc) and once toured Holland and Germany with a band which included a very loud bagpipe player, a Dutch guitarist and a Geordie singer who sang in 4 languages on stage. They used to fly me in once a month on a Friday for gigs all weekend. I’d be back at my desk on Monday morning!

The rest of the time I hang out at soft play and in parks with my two little girls, the dog and my long-suffering husband.

Top dinner guests

Freddie Mercury, Father Ted (in character), and Polly Toynbee

Favourite food

The team will say grapes. But I’m going to say – Cheese.

Holiday destination

West coast of Ireland. Every year. But also Thailand!

Josie Bristow-Booker

Hi, I’m Josie, Mental Health Together Project Support Worker. In MHT, myself and manager Niki recruit and involve people with lived experiences, our Experts by Experience, to be involved in improving mental health services in Derby and Derbyshire. This is so necessary; it helps people who have experienced/are experiencing mental health services to feel heard, seen, and able to make a difference. Something you maybe don’t realise the value of unless you have your own voice taken away.

I like to think I make a difference in my role because…..

My lived experiences of mental health help me in my role at MHT supporting people. Being a human is hard and we can share that common experience we all have.

I’d also like to mention my voluntary role as a Telephone Befriender for Careline Calling, working to reduce isolation by offering support. The service is available for free to anybody in Derbyshire/surrounding who would like the support. The more volunteers we have, the more calls we can make and areas we can take referrals from. Over the years I have been well supported as a volunteer when working different hours etc and it makes me more passionate than ever to say you can do this if you have a free hour or two. 

This weekend, I took part in a Careline fundraising walk at Carsington Water. I was thinking about some of the people I speak to and have spoken to on a Friday each week, from different walks of life who are housebound. The people who go through loss, experience grief, and need someone to talk to. Anybody who needs a conversation with a regular person. Again, we are all human and even when you or I don’t know what to say, it is good to talk.

If you haven’t heard of Careline Calling, you can support us by sharing the word and/or by sponsoring Careline’s Fundraising Walk 2024 | Give as you Live Donate

How I can help you and your colleagues….

I’d love to see staff signing up to the Mental Health Together e-bulletin. It will take you about 10 seconds to do. You will then receive a bi-monthly email and see how Experts by Experience in MHT are inputting into the ICB and Derbyshire Healthcare alongside mental health related updates for Derby and Derbyshire. It may even help you with your own/others wellbeing to know what support is available.

How I came to be at NHS Derby and Derbyshire

I was fortunate to work at Healthwatch Derbyshire before here, where I was TUPE into the NHS earlier this year alongside my manager Niki Glazier and Elena and Ronique in the Living Well Engagement team.

You may not know this about me, but….

I love dancing in leisure centre classes.

Top three dinner party guests

I’ll answer my family members to that.

Favourite food

Houmous and toasted pitta breads.

Favourite holiday destination

I love the beach. Any beach.

Helen Dillistone

Job title and description of role

ICB Chief of Staff – Executive lead for a range of corporate functions across the ICB including corporate governance, risk, assurance, legal, system oversight, Green NHS senior responsible officer, complaints, patient advice and liaison service, EPRR and ICB IG/IT (senior information risk owner). Also I am the executive lead for communications, engagement, Freedom of information, ICB HR and corporate Organisational Development. I support the Chair and NEMs with my corporate governance hat on, and also work closely with the CEO and other executives on a range of corporate and business areas listed above.

I like to think I make a difference in my role because…..

In my directorate we offer support to the whole organisation. I am responsible for and lead a talented directorate team that delivers on a range of key functions that enables the ICB to operate as a safe and effective organisation.  At a recent directorate time out we developed a statement of what we do which is summarised below.

The Corporate Directorate is the backbone of the ICB, connecting, protecting and enabling everyone to make effective, legal and safe decisions. Our diverse expertise provides the foundation from which the ICB can grow and develop and make a difference to the lives of local people, and ensure that we listen, involve and respond to our staff and population.

How I can help you and your colleagues….

I have worked in the Derbyshire Health system for long time and so have a lot of system and organisational memory. I have seen, been part of and led lots of change! I can provide advice and support about how the ICB functions and operates, and I can help you and your teams to navigate the organisation, policy and how and where decisions are taken. Also, my team not only works internally to the ICB but also plays a key role in working with the wider partnership across the Integrated Care System.

How I came to be at NHS Derby and Derbyshire

Immediately before working in the ICB I was an executive director at the CCG.  I applied for one of the new executive roles here at the ICB in 2022. I came into the NHS in 2003 on the national Gateway to Leadership Scheme designed to bring senior managers into the NHS from other sectors or different types of organisations. I feel privileged to be an executive in the NHS and being part of a fantastic team and organisation that is committed to and passionate about patient care. I have worked with many talented people in the Derbyshire system over the years, many of whom work in this ICB.

Prior to joining the NHS I worked for an arm’s length body of the Department of Health, and before that the Lord Chancellors Department. Before that I spent nearly four years in industry after leaving university as a young graduate where I worked in a range of the commercial departments at Rolls-Royce Plc. I was part of the Asia Pacific team where I spent a lot of my time travelling and working in Singapore and Indonesia. 

You may not know this about me, but….

I play the clarinet to grade 8 and performed at the Royal Festival Hall and the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London ( a very time ago though now!!!)

Top three dinner party guests

1) Mary Berry ( to do the cooking), 2) Kamala Harris, and 3) the historian Mary Beard.

Favourite food

I love most foods, which ideally should be cooked by someone else!

Favourite holiday destination 

For relaxation it is walking along the vast and often empty beaches of the north Norfolk coast with my dog, husband, and son (when he joins us). And for food, history, and culture it is anywhere in Italy, in particular I love the Italian lakes.  

Sam Knight

Job title and description of role

Sustainability Programme Manager

I like to think I make a difference in my role because…..

We all know we are in a climate crisis across the World, and I want to be able to play my part in being able to share as much information and knowledge as I can to ensure that staff can easily digest and start to take actions in their own lives, every little bit we do is making a difference.

This is a new role to me, commencing in April 24 but I have took it on with my normal gusto and really want to help make a difference, noting that this is  not a one-person job it needs all of us to help with the Green Agenda.

Finally, a lot of my previous roles have focussed more on the patient, and it is important to remember that the patient is always the focus on delivering and commissioning services.

How I can help you and your colleagues….

I am certainly no expert at my new role and if any staff members have anything to share with regards to sustainability, then please let me know and we can plan a diary date to discuss… I keep using the mantra Let’s do this Derby and Derbyshire.

How I came to be at NHS Derby and Derbyshire

I have been in the NHS for 25 years, always in Derbyshire.  I started my working life at Marsden Street Clinic, Children and Family Therapy Services, which at this time used to be part of the Health Authority.

I have then done extensive learning and development and worked my way through most of the organisations that have devolved since we were the Health Authority, too many to remember, but now as Derby and Derbyshire ICB.

The directorates have involved, Public Health, Primary Care Commissioning, Governance where we merged to a CCG, Engagement especially around the Better Care Closer to home that some of you will remember and Learning Disabilities. Back to Governance for another stint and then finally pre the ICB restructure within the Strategic Clinical Conditions and Pathways team managing the Tobacco Dependency Treatment Programme and Post (Long) covid.  Last stop back in the Corporate Governance Team as my current role of Sustainability Programme Manager.

You may not know this about me, but…

I like to do crafts, knitting etc but, although as I’ve got older the old eyes are letting me down a bit.  I also love a jigsaw, very good for anxiety as you are busy looking for the colours and straight edges.

Top three dinner party guests

Now this a hard one, not sure who I would choose, I am very much stuck with some of my music in the 80’s, so maybe first person might be Boy George, gotta love a bit of Top Gun and Cocktail so Tom Cruise and then David Jason as Del Boy!

Favourite food

Chinese, especially in China Town in London.

Favourite holiday destination

I love Greece, but after visiting Australia last Christmas, I would love to return to Sydney!  I also enjoy a sneaky weekend in Filey on the East Coast.

Clare Burgess

Job title and description of role

Digital Transformation Manager 

Before I answer the standard staff spotlight questions, I want to share my experience at the Edinburgh MoonWalk.

On Saturday 7th September 2024, I took part in the Edinburgh MoonWalk, which is an overnight marathon walk covering 26.2 miles. The walk is in aid of ‘Walk the Walk’, a breast cancer charity. Most participants wear decorated bras, and my friend and I decorated ourselves and our bras with lots of face paint, sequins, glitter, and fairy wings. This is part of the fun; one participant was even dressed as a human piñata!

I did the London MoonWalk 8 years ago, and Edinburgh is much quieter and calmer; thankfully, there was much less bottlenecking. We started around 11 p.m., walking around Holyrood Park, then around the edge of Edinburgh and along the coast. The coastal section was eerie at times, very dark and peaceful. We were lucky with the weather: it was foggy but warm enough, and it didn’t rain.

By the last quarter, the going was getting tough. I was hobbling at this stage, and unfortunately, we took a wrong turn, which added a kilometre. The last few miles felt never-ending, yet the excitement grew as I got closer to 26.2 mile-mark. After 7 hours and 57 minutes, I proudly crossed the finish line. I’m proud not only for the personal achievement but also for the funds that people have donated and the good causes this will support.

Funds are allocated to a range of breast cancer causes. I am proud to say that I have raised around £500 so far. People have been generous, and if you would like to make a donation, you can still do so via our donation page.

I like to think I make a difference in my role because….
I play a part in digitally transforming the NHS, whether for the ICB, primary care or the ICS.  Digital has a big role to play in achieving a more sustainable NHS, one step at a time, connecting different parts of the system to achieve digital integration.  I feel this is an exciting space to be working in and although I am new to this role I like to think I have started to make a difference already and I am grateful for the opportunity.  My energy, enthusiasm, determination, and drive allow me to persevere even when challenges arise, always pushing to move things forward.  With a positive, approachable, and friendly attitude, I am able to engage with a wide range of people, fostering collaboration across teams. I also enjoy supporting others and helping them advance in their careers.

How I came to be at NHS Derby and Derbyshire
I began my career as a Connexions Personal Adviser, where I spent five years helping young people access employment, training, and education opportunities. I then transitioned to Public Health, working on a variety of projects including NHS health checks, community development in Erewash, and leading a working group focused on improving health outcomes for the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) communities. After a few years living in London, I returned to Derbyshire in 2019, joining Derby and Derbyshire CCG. Since then, I’ve worked in Planned Care Commissioning, Community Commissioning, and most recently, in the Digital Team at the Integrated Care Board (ICB).

You may not know this about me, but…
I am a qualified teacher having completed a PGCE, but it wasn’t the right career for me.

• I like travelling. When I was 24 I went to India on my own. I am not sure I would be brave enough to do that now.  My favourite place was Ladakh.
• I do parkrun every week. I completed the A-Z of parkrun and went all the way to Poland to do a parkrun beginning with Z.  We don’t have any Z parkruns in UK, but in Poland there are many and I chose Zamek Malborgu because it goes past the largest castle in the world.
• This year I finished the Pennine Way, all 268 miles. I did this in small sections over the last three years. I did the last 27-mile Scottish border section in one day as part of my MoonWalk training and, strangely, I found it easier than the MoonWalk.

Haseena Slack

Job title and description of roles…

Place Administrator and Communications Officer. As the Place administrator, I support two Places North East Derbyshire and Bolsover, and Amber Valley. My role encompasses setting up meetings, writing up minutes and mandating the action logs. I also support collaborations between partner organisations.

My role as a Communications Officer involves supporting internal communications, with a focus on Team Talk, the Primary Care bulletin, the all staff event and the amazing staff feature!

I like to think I make a difference in my role because….  I am in a unique position that I currently have two roles.  My position in Place allows me to support the Place Alliance groups while my Communications role allows me to pursue collaboration and moving in a direction that promotes my interpersonal skills.

How I can help you and your colleagues… with my dual roles, I have the ability to link in with key leads while also promoting better working relationships.

Using Team Talk as a platform to raise awareness or showcase any work you may have. 

The Primary care bulletin is a brilliant conduit for sharing information with practice managers and our primary care colleagues.

Working within Place has given me opportunities to link and collaborate across the directorates. 

How I came to be at NHS Derby and Derbyshire... I began at the Medicines Order line, then moved across to Place and finally 6 years on ending up at the Comms team. Becoming part of the Communications team has allowed me to support on the All Staff Event on 20 November 2024.  This is something I am particularly excited about as it brings in my talents and experience from my previous career. 

You may not know this about me, but… I worked as an event manager for 10 years. I also have a love for singing.  You will no doubt hear me humming, singing, rapping when I am in the office.  Please note any complaints can be directed to myself or alternatively please submit your requests. I have an eclectic range of music, from R&B to rock to One Direction.  I also have two little young un’s that keep me very busy.  Sufyan is 5 and he is a talented gamer (or so he tells me) and Layla is 3, who is a dancer (I sing, she dances).

Favourite food… I love anything sweet. Literally I am always foraging.  Ask the Medicines Order Line team, they will tell you.

Ged Connolly-Thompson

Job title and description of role

Head of Digital Development and Information Governance

Supported by my teams, I am responsible for the procurement and provision of digital, IT and Information Governance support to the ICB, GP Practices and Primary Care Networks as well as supporting a number of projects across Joined Up Care Derbyshire, Midlands region and at national level.

This includes managing the contract with NECS for Corporate and GP IT – anything from agreeing the ongoing replacement of laptops, monitors, network infrastructure, etc – through to ensuring that the ICB delivers on their statutory functions and other instructions received from NHS England.

I work with representatives of various organisations at different levels to understand their digital and Information Governance needs, and working with my team to turn this into a strategy and work plan.

I like to think I make a difference in my role because….

I believe in the founding principles of the NHS and for care services to be free at the point of care. 

I believe in the ability of technology to provide benefits for patients.

Lastly, I also believe in equity of access to services and that we do not create unnecessary barriers when designing services that unintentionally create a two tier service or make it more problematic for people to access the care and support that they need.

How I can help you and your colleagues…

When you are procuring a new system or service or involved in a programme of work, we can advise you on what needs to be included from a digital and Information Governance perspective so that we can easily identify and mitigate any risks to the organisation or the people who will be receiving the service. 

We provide assurance to Helen Dillistone as the ICB’s Senior Information Risk Owner, but we do need to be included from the planning stages for your particular piece of work.  Otherwise given the remit of the team and number of people available, we may struggle to accommodate your timescales or we may need to pause the work until we can adequately understand what you are trying to achieve.

How I came to be at NHS Derby and Derbyshire

I joined NHS Derby & Derbyshire CCG in April 2020 just as the pandemic took hold having previously worked for the North of England Commissioning Support Unit.  Prior to that, I worked for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and The University of Leeds in a variety of roles from musculoskeletal translational research, systems design to business analysis and finally, as an operational manager running the Outpatient booking call centre.

Prior to this, I’ve also worked in civil engineering, local, and central government.

You may not know this about me, but…

I am a qualified England Rugby League coach and was part of the national Embed The Pathway programme to develop players through the grassroots community game and through to professional and international level.

I was also the lead cellist in a Youth Orchestra for around 8 years through secondary school and University.

Top three dinner party guests

You wouldn’t believe the amount of time and effort that I’ve put into deciding these – and I’m sure my team will be elated to hear that I’ve finally decided.  It’s quite an eclectic mix and I won’t go through all the possible permutations that we’ve been through.

First would be Charlemagne – I studied Medieval European History at A-Level and I retained a love for and interest in that period of history.  Charlemagne always stood out for me as an individual whose presence continued to be felt long after the end of this life and as a figure who had such different sides to his character – the promotion of learning and the blossoming of the Carolingian Renaissance, but equally capable in military exploits and somewhat brutal.

The second person would be Marvin Minsky who I had the pleasure of having email correspondence with while I was studying at The University of Sheffield.  I’ve always had an interest in Artificial Intelligence and the ultimate capabilities of technologies such as neural networks to become self-learning – their application to real world problems including the analysis of big data and the ability to sit alongside subject matter experts to support their work and decision making.

The last one would be Belfast born guitarist, Gary Moore.  His was the first ever concert that I went to as a 10 year old at Sheffield City Hall and I must have 50+ of his albums that I’ve collected over the years.  Through the early years and the instrumentals, through Thin Lizzy and then into blues there was always something different about his playing style and his underlying rock influences that drew me in and still listen to him today.

Favourite food

Has to be fish and chips, preferably fried in beef dripping rather than the healthy option, with a pint of Guinness.

Favourite holiday destination

Has to be Catalonia, but anywhere in North Spain and Southern France – for the people, the weather and the food.  Would happily settle here and my favourite place to be.

Ali Davies-Marsh 

Job title and description of role:   

Senior Intelligence Manager in the Business Intelligence team.   Part of my role is to take data and translate it into accessible information.   

How I can help you and your colleagues….  

My passion in life is to see people reach their full potential, whether that be through mentoring, signposting to training and career development routes.  Having worked across two organisations in learning and development I have a wealth of knowledge of training that is available, often free of charge, for NHS staff to undertake.   I am particularly passionate at enabling staff at bands 3-5 to break through the perceived ceiling in the NHS and supporting them in applying for roles, applications and interview support. 

How I came to be at NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB  

I came into the NHS through an unusual route – I spent many years as a youth and children’s worker for a variety of national Christian organisations.  However, having entered a same sex relationship I had to resign as it was considered a genuine occupational requirement that any relationships were heterosexual and therefore, I could be dismissed.   I chose to join the NHS as it was somewhere I felt I could be accepted as me.    

I have had a variety of roles within the NHS over the last 16 years – Complaints Advisor, Data Analyst, Communications Manager, eLearning Developer.  At the start of Covid I was working for DCHS/DHCFT creating training programmes and analysing staff training compliance and future needs. The ICS Covid response led me to join the VOC team, where my analytical roots came to the fore again.  The restructure saw my role move over to the BI team. 

You may not know this about me, but… 

I have watched rockets fly over my head whilst working with the Arab Human Rights organisation in the West Bank as the 2006 Lebanon War broke out.  I spent 5 weeks working in a segregated area of the West Bank working with Arab, Christian, Israeli, Jewish and Muslim young people.   The aim was if we can help each young person understand and respect other beliefs and religions, we could help to build a future generation where the divide is less, violence and hatred reduced but appreciation and respect of difference was increased. 

I am an active part of Friends of Littleover Parks, @LittleoverParks, working with the council parks team to promote use of our parks, community clean ups and develop the biodiversity of our parks. I run the social media and outward facing part of the group, organising community events, work parties and ways to enjoy the 8 Littleover Parks.   In a few months we have added a wildlife trail, a tree trail and geocaches to our parks.   As part of this I organised Littleover’s first Great Big Green Week of 30 or so community events in 2024, of which 50% were based in or around our parks. 

Just for fun facts: 

• I once accidently caused a bomb scare during an event the then Archbishop of Canterbury was speaking at. 

• I accidently stood on Daniel Bedingfield’s microphone – but he was very nice about it 

• I was helicopter rescued off of Dartmoor as a teenager 

• Missing my train for the only time in my life on the 5 October 1999 saved my life as the train was involved in the Paddington/Ladbroke Grove train crash. 

• I am a semi professional photographer and do Audio Visual tech. 

Favourite food…  As someone with ARFID (avoidant, resistant food intake disorder) I only eat a small variety of foods so it may be a bit strange for some.  However, my favourite meal is chips and baked beans inside a jumbo Yorkshire pudding covered in grated mozzarella – obviously with Heinz Ketchup 

I’d be happy to chat to anyone about any of these answers so feel free to message me on ali.davies-marsh@nhs.net if you’d love to know more. 

Jonathan Wardle

Job title and description of role… Senior Place Manager, my role is to lead and deliver on the strategic direction of North East Derbyshire and Bolsover Local Place Alliance. I facilitate the formulation of Local Place Alliance priorities in line with the health needs of the local population and delivery of activities to meet those objectives. I am also the co Programme Lead for the falls programme within Team Up.

I like to think I make a difference in my role because… collaboration between a range of organisations  creates a better chance of creating services that meet people’s needs, improving their experience and outcomes.

How I can help you and your colleagues… Collaborative place based working is important to me personally and there are many opportunities for collaboration at a place level to have a meaningful impact on individual and wider population health and wellbeing. I would like to hear from anyone who feels there are opportunities for more integrated approaches to delivery of services to our communities.

You may not know this about me, but…. I have a number of hobbies that my younger self never imagined doing. I have had a vegetable allotment for several years and latterly I have started to learn Latin and ballroom dancing at a local class with my wife. In my youth I was an extra in Highlander 2 (most of you will have to google that). I was told I would have a speaking part next to Sean Connery but ended up as a security guard who set off the alarm when the rebel forces invaded!

Highlander 2 my extra performance – YouTube

Top three dinner party guests… Monty Don for the advice on how to get the perfect runner beans. Craig Revel Horwood for some critical advice on my quickstep and Nye Bevan so I could ask him what he thought of the NHS at 75.

Favourite food…I’m not a vegetarian but I do love a good lentil dahl

Favourite holiday destination… I love Cornwall and have visited the very south westerly tip very many times with my family. Pedn Vounder beach at Treen near Porthcurno is a secluded beautiful beach that just keeps giving.

Harpal (Harp) Kaur

Job title and description of role
I am the Senior Quality Administrator. In my role I support the QEIA process and assist with various meetings such as Patient Experience and Patient Engagement.  I’m also a co-chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Network. In my role I do things such as minute taking, recording outcomes, agenda items and generally keeping the team organised.

I like to think I make a difference in my role because I bring my lived experience as a BAME woman who has lived a life supporting others inside and out of my professional life. As a resilient woman who is not shy, I am able to come forward and speak my mind. I endeavour to always stay professional and above all listen to others – not just hearing.

How I can help you and your colleagues: I am always approached by colleagues across the wider systems and different directorates from the ICB asking for help. I’m sure someone pays them to contact me (other people are available). I would describe myself as someone who would also support, listen to signpost colleagues to the most appropriate person, or find the details they may be looking for. Nothing is a problem. However, if I am unable to find what you have asked for, I will relay that information back to you asap.

How I came to be at NHS Derby and Derbyshire: I used to work for Making Space, an organisation that was funded by Derby City Council focusing on Dementia. As a BME Volunteer coordinator, my role was to ensure that volunteers were recruited, trained, and supported as well as making sure legislation was adhered to. The contract was short term and once my contract finished, I applied for a position within the CCG and never left to date. I worked at the vaccination centre for a time too.

You may not know this about me, but… I have navigated my way through stereotypical south Asian backgrounds, which has led me to champion empowerment for all. I have worked with a number of charities across Derby to support social deprivation and racial discrimination. Despite having ailments that come with age, I try to travel as much as possible, often travelling solo and happy to give recommendations! I am a keen blogger and like to record my experiences. I have been told to share my blogs although I haven’t found a platform to do so yet!

Top three dinner party guests: Eddie Hall (the beast) Hugh Jackman not forgetting George Clooney 

Favourite food: Sticky toffee pudding with hot custard, tandoori chicken and salad, mince pies and Christmas dinner yummy (sorry I love food, couldn’t decide on one food) Not good really for a diabetic lol 😊

Favourite holiday destination: My favourite destination is Morocco. I visited recently and the atmosphere is very relaxed. The people and food are amazing. I went in a hot air balloon at sunrise which left me totally speechless (for once).

Marie Crowley

Job title and description of role: Senior Children’s strategic commissioner with the CYP physical health commissioning team. I lead on the transformation of some of the long-term conditions and transition from children to adult services. I am also a member of the Diversity and Inclusion network and part of the leadership team at the National Deaf and Hard of Hearing NHS Staff Network.

I like to think I make a difference in my role because…..I started my career in the NHS as a mental health nurse in the 90s. I spent about 9 years working clinically, both on inpatient acute wards here in Derby, my first post was on Kingsway House West! but also in substance misuse services here in Derby. Here, I set up a service for pregnant women and their partners after finding several women on waiting lists who were referred in early pregnancy but hadn’t been picked up!

I became frustrated at not being able to make the deeper changes that were needed, so dipped my toe into service development and this was a natural migration to commissioning. I led on rolling out of the governments Improving access to psychological therapies programme.

I feel I am able to have a bigger impact on improving long term outcomes for our children, young people and their families as a commissioner than I ever was as a clinician.

How I can help you and your colleagues… I am Neurodivergent and I’m good at seeing connectivity points across the system, so I’m always up for conversations on how we can optimise collaborative working. If you are working on anything associated to adult diabetes, epilepsy or asthma and diagnostics, please come and talk to me so we can close the gap that our teenagers sometimes experience going into adult services, we see this happening in the data! I am a big advocate of not reinventing wheels and always happy to share!

How I came to be at NHS Derby and Derbyshire: I left commissioning with one of our neighbouring ICBs and wanted to go back to some patient facing roles. I spent 5 years working in Dementia services, back to substance misuse services and also service lead in one of our talking therapy services but was made redundant so here I am, back in Commissioning, a decision that I have not regretted! This was my first none mental health role so its been an exciting learning curve!

You may not know this about me, but… Those who know me well will say I am rather quirky. I enjoy a diverse range of activities – anything from attending live TV showings such as The Last Leg and Eurovision, to actively protesting for good causes. I’m interested in learning new languages, specifically Cymraeg and Kiswahili which is proving to be quite difficult! I have also volunteered at a school in Nakuru, Kenya.  Most people don’t know that I am a practicing witch and have run psychic development classes in the past. I am also connected to Beethoven in my DNA! 

Top three dinner party guests: this one is a toughie – most of the people I would want are no longer with us. George Michael, Freddy Mercury and Elton John would have to be right up there if I could!

Favourite food: This one is easy, got to be a Korean BBQ!

Favourite holiday destination: Wales is my favourite place, Pembrokeshire coast specifically. You’ll see from my photo, I recently climbed Pen Y Fan in Wales for charity! I raised over £400. Llamau is a Welsh charity who work to reduce homelessness. You can find out more and donate through my Just Giving page.

I would also love to say Kenya, as its an amazing country but I always seem to come back with some lurgy, the last time it put me on an infectious diseases ward, so needing to give that stunning land a wide berth at the moment.. Maybe next year!

Lee Radford

Job title and description of role

The Chief People Officer role is responsible for the development and delivery of the long-term people strategy of the system, leading the development of the ICB’s aspiration to become an Anchor organisation through developing a One Workforce strategy, developing our future talent pipelines through careers and widening participation programmes and creating an inclusive and compassionate culture within the ICB to make it a great place to work.

I like to think I make a difference in my role because…

It empowers people to come together to deliver the best care to our communities and enables people to be their best selves.

How I can help you and your colleagues…

Creating an inclusive and compassionate culture for the organisation that I work for is something that is very important to me personally. I want the ICB to be a great place to work and everyone can bring their whole self to work. I really would like to hear from anyone who has any ideas of how I can help to make a difference.

How I came to be at NHS Derby and Derbyshire

I have worked in the NHS for over 16 years starting life as a deputy director of OD and Education at an acute Trust in Nottingham, then London as a Director of Culture and Leadership. Prior to joining Derby and Derbyshire, I worked in an ICB in Lancashire and South Cumbria as the acting Chief People Officer. I live on the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire border and being able to work and make a difference to the community and people where I live was one of the reasons that attracted me to this exciting role.

You may not know this about me, but…

I am a big geek and I rediscovered my love of Lego during lock down and my collection has grown rapidly to the point where we need to buy a bigger house to accommodate it all.

Top three dinner party guests

Bill Gates – because I am a geek.

Russel T. Davies – because he writes great tv programmes and Dr Who.

Dame Maggie Smith – she is an amazing actress.

Favourite food

Sunday roast for sure.

Favourite holiday destination

Australia – an amazing country that I have been lucky enough to visit 3 times and saw amazing scenery, great culture and fantastic people.

Maxine Tomlinson

Job title and description of role

Senior Children’s Commissioning Manager – SEND

My role focuses on working with parents and partners across the system to commission child and parent centred services around therapies and neurodiversity, recognising the intersection between SEND, mental health, physical health and early help across the system.

I like to think I make a difference in my role because…..

I am passionate about making a difference because I do have lived experience of being an adoptive parent and recognise some of the of the blockages in the “system” both from a parental and professional perspective. Additionally, I have a deep seated passion in transformational change and system change which lends itself well to system development in my current role.    

How I can help you and your colleagues….

I hope I can help colleagues by thinking through their plans for system and transformational developments, as well as working with parent and carers – co-production is extremely importantly to me.

How I came to be at NHS Derby and Derbyshire

I currently live in Birmingham, but have worked nationally and internationally for a number of years. I joined Derby and Derbyshire 3 years ago from the Birmingham and Solihull CCG (as was then) having worked as part of a transformational team supporting children and families through the Covid pandemic.

You may not know this about me, but….

I really enjoy hiking in my spare time. I even featured in a national hiking magazine once! The magazine published a picture of me which you can see above – I can assure you the hike was not as easy as it appeared to be in the magazine!

I also have a brown sash in Lau Gar Kung Fu (many years ago!) Lau Gar Kung Fu is a traditional Chinese martial art derived from traditonal boxing practices.

Top three dinner party guests

Diane Abbot

Oscar Wilde (if he was alive)

My Mom – to preside over the proceedings. 😊

Favourite food

Anything edible – I’m a foodie but have a small appetite

Favourite holiday destination

Los Angeles – when my second mother was alive.  Additionally Portugal as I spent a lot of time there for many years. Jamaica – as my second home and Ethiopia as my spiritual home.

Danielle Matten

Job title and description of role

I am the Senior Pharmacy Technician – Place

I work within Derby city at both Primary Care Network (PCN) and practice level providing support to PCCO (one of our Primary Care Networks) and Derby City North PCN. This support includes medication queries, training healthcare professionals, medicines safety reviews, and attending meetings to build relationship with practice / PCN teams.

I support the wider pharmacy team with project-based work, meetings, resource production and implementing cost saving workstreams at practice level where needed.

I like to think I make a difference in my role because…

I am part of a team that strives to improve prescribing costs and medicine safety across Derbyshire.

How I can help you and your colleagues…

I can help to spread messages relating to medications and their safety within these practices and PCNs or direct you to those that would benefit from the messages directly. 

How I came to be at NHS Derby and Derbyshire

When my husband retired from the army in 2019 after 24 years’ service, we were living in rented military accommodation on Sandhurst Royal Military Academy in Surrey. Surrey is lovely but I’m sure everyone knows that the house prices are EXTORTIONATE! Being part of the military family meant we have friends scattered across the country (and world!), including some that lived near Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Every time we visited them, we fell more in love with the area and fate had it that in 2019, the Medicines Optimisation Delivery Team at Derby and Derbyshire CCG were expanding their team of pharmacy technicians. We got the keys for our first home in Swadlincote a matter of weeks before I started at the CCG and haven’t looked back!

You may not know this about me, but…

I sang with the Military Wives Choir for Sandhurst Royal Military Academy for 2 years performing at local Remembrance services, Heritage Day (the annual event when Sandhurst Military Academy is opened to the public) and local military events.

Top three dinner party guests

Stephen Fry, Simon Pegg, and Ryan Reynolds.

Favourite food

Chinese – either Sweet and Sour Chicken or Lemon Chicken.

Favourite holiday destination

Anywhere that involves a cottage and long walks with my dog Jake (oh, and of course the husband) especially places like Cornwall or Exmoor.

OR

Disney World / Universal Studios Florida (without the long flight!)

Dawn Moore

 

Job title and description of role

I am the Premises Officer. Among the jobs I do are:

• Monitoring, administering and co-ordinating the use of the offices, from the supply of equipment for work and home use, assisting with IT issues and liaising with the relevant organisations and staff.
•  Ensuring that any changes to the environment and the daily use and layout of the offices are implemented effectively.
• Identifying and resolving any day to day operational issues that occur and organise any office relocations. Carrying out chair assessments for staff ensuring the equipment is correctly set.
• Working in the Corporate Estates team, which oversees the general operation of our offices, to enable the organisation to run smoothly and efficiently; creating productive, safe and happy working environment for all employees. Working in partnership with other teams, we ensure that colleagues are provided with the support and tools to do their job, at home and in the office.

I like to think I make a difference in my role because…

I am able in most cases to sort problems/issues which occur; some problems requiring creative thinking which, enables staff to do their job effectively.

How I came to be at NHS Derby and Derbyshire

I started with the NHS as a Secretary to an Occupational Health Doctor and then moved to the old Primary Care Trust  working at Derwent Court as a secretary, and of course there have been several changes and moves since then  to Cardinal Square and now the Council House.

You may not know this about me, but….

In my early days I used to train with the Army Cadet Force, training young cadets. 💪

Currently, my friend and I are on a mission to try as many new things as we can. We started with a climbing wall, next up is quad biking.

Top three dinner party guests

Patrick Swayze if he was still here. Leonardo DiCaprio and probably Daniel Craig.

Favourite food

There aren’t many foods I don’t like, and there are many dishes which could be a favourite, but you can’t beat a good roast dinner with all the trimmings!

Favourite holiday destination

My favourite destination so far has been Cyprus and particularly America, incorporating Honolulu and Maui.

But in my upcoming spare time, I’m looking forward to travelling many times and finding a new favourite!

Leni Robson

Job title 

Commissioning Manager – Autism and Learning Disabilities

Description of the role – it’s a good question as I’ve only been in the role two weeks! It’s looking at the services we provide for people with autism and learning disabilities, making commissioning decisions, but I also get to work with people with lived experience ensuring their voice is heard from the beginning.

I like to think I make a difference in my role because…..

I can provide a link to ensure any services being commissioned take into account provision for people with learning disabilities and autism. Often it’s not about specialist services, it’s about making services accessible.

How I can help you and your colleagues….

I can link you in with our Experts by Experience to help review documents, or for you to get lived experience of any service you may be looking at. I am also a Freedom To Speak Up Ambassador so if you have any issues you wish to raise I’m always happy to help.

How I came to be at NHS Derby and Derbyshire

I’m the proverbial bad penny – I keep turning up. I was originally the PA to Andrew Booth, director of finance and all round awesomeness at Derby City Primary Care Trust. Then I’ve floated around the NHS, working for the National Research Authority for a while before spending five years at Royal Derby Hospital working for legal services.

When I started training for my sideline seven years ago, I got a temporary role working for Erewash Clinical Commissioning Group, which reconnected me with some old friends, and made some new. I attempted to leave and was asked to go back to work as the office manager for Erewash’s office at Toll Bar while someone was on secondment. Then I stayed on while they closed down the building and then Covid happened and I landed on System Operational Cell.

After a while there I left (again) and then eight weeks later I was asked back to work on the vaccine rollout, which started with seven people. I moved to communications and engagement, and then to commissioning as senior commissioning officer for adult mental health and then finally into the role I’m in now as commissioning manager.

You may not know this about me, but….

I’m an award-winning Life Celebrant. I travel around the country delivering weddings, naming ceremonies and funerals. I also founded and run a charity called Coffin Club Derby where we aim to open up the conversations about death and dying, to help people prepare for end of life. In May we were featured on ITV’s Tonight Programme. I’m also a trained grief specialist and run groups and 1:1 sessions.

Top three dinner party guests

• Sir Ian McKellan and Judi Dench (I’m a Shakespeare nut and can often be found telling people how to prance around on stage with Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company or down in Stratford at the RSC) and Dr Katherine Mannix, who is a palliative care doctor working to change how we approach death (check out her book – With the End in Mind)

(I would include Jason Momoa – but I wouldn’t want 2 other dinner guests there…..)

Favourite food

Italian – pasta in rich tomato sauces – which invariably ends up down my top….

Favourite holiday destination

Italy – one of the lakes where I can indulge my passion for wild swimming.

Kathryn Durrant

Name

Kathryn Durrant, formerly Kathryn Jacklin (aka The Notorious K, FOI wrangler extraordinaire)

Job title and description of role

Executive Board Secretary. I look after members of the ICB Board, meetings, arrangements and such, various other ad-hoc tasks and supporting colleagues along the way however I can.

I like to think I make a difference in my role because…

I make sure that all the Board Members in our organisation and our partners can be where they are meant to be, with everything they need, to do what they have to do. Also, I’m a fiend for spelling and grammar and can spot a rogue apostrophe from a mile away.

How I can help you and your colleagues…

If you would like to bring something to the Board’s attention, or have any questions about the ICB Board, or wider Corporate Governance issues, I can help. Or at least point you in the right direction.

How I came to be at NHS Derby and Derbyshire…

I’ve been around since Primary Care Trust (PCT) days and for most of these days I was in contact with almost everyone on a regular basis with Freedom of Information (FOI) requests (thanks again to everyone who helped with these, I still remember and appreciate you!). Then I spent a year in the wonderful Vaccination Operations Cell (VOC) Team, before being lucky enough to land my current role. 

You may not know this about me, but…

I play several musical instruments, but my favourite is the bass guitar which has been very useful for most of my life in multiple bands from a variety of genres. My most recent gig was a wedding ceilidh last Saturday (in which I especially enjoyed watching the catholic priest dancing very enthusiastically), a bit different from my second most recent gig which was in a tribute band for Rage Against the Machine! 

Top three dinner party guests…

Freddie Mercury, Eddie Izzard and Brendan Fraser. Eddie to give us all rib-ache from laughing so hard, Brendan as he just seems like such a nice guy who deserves a lovely dinner, and Freddie to lead the world’s most epic karaoke session after. 

Favourite food…

CHEESE! It’s all about the yellow stuff. All kinds. And rhubarb. But mostly cheese.

Favourite holiday destination…

My nordic metal paradise, Helsinki! I got stranded there with my mum in 2010 when the Icelandic volcano erupted and we were stuck for 4 extra days. Made it to several more gigs during that time. It was brilliant!

Mark Stuart

https://intranet.ddicb-nhs.uk/news/comms-guru-takes-on-reservist-adventure/(opens in a new tab)