Non-urgent advice: Anna O’Kane
Senior Programme Lead
[email protected]I joined the NHS eight years ago following an extensive career in leadership development, learning & development, economic regeneration and business support spanning across both private and public sectors.Prior to joining the Midlands Talent Team, I was the talent management lead for the East Midlands Leadership Academy supporting organisations and systems to develop talent management practice. Prior to that I led on a range of regional programme areas including Organisational Development, NED and Chair development, Inclusion and Systems Leadership.My role within the Midlands Talent Team is wide ranging acting as senior operational lead for the team and our work. This includes supporting the career development of aspirant directors, designing and developing programmes and resources for organisations and systems to facilitate best practice talent management approaches as well as supporting and leading on national talent management initiatives.In my spare time, I enjoy long walks in the countryside with my two very energetic rescue border collies, music, books and wherever possible, travelling the world.
Non-urgent advice: Averil Henry
Talent & Leadership Deputy Manager (Job Share with Naomi Porter)
[email protected]
I started my NHS journey in 2009 as a temp PA at Imperial College Healthcare Trust, working my way through various projects that deepened my expertise in project management, business support, and leadership development. I joined NHS England in 2021 as a Project Coordinator within the Emergency and Elective Care Improvement team, working in the PMO and Business Support sub-team. My passion for leadership development and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) advocacy led me to the Southeast Talent Management team as Regional Project Manager before stepping into my current role.
A strong advocate for DEI, I strive to be at the point of change, ensuring talent initiatives are inclusive, accessible, and impactful. Co-leading with Naomi Porter, I focus on empowering future leaders, streamlining processes, and driving systemic change across the NHS Midlands.
Outside of work, I’m a proud mum of three and currently studying for a degree in Fashion, which fuels my creative aspirations and brings a fresh perspective to my approach to leadership, structure, and innovation.
Non-urgent advice: Dawn Simmonds
Talent and Leadership Coordinator
[email protected]I joined the NHS in 2002 firstly working in a Trust then moving to the then Strategic Heath Authority. Over the years I’ve worked in several teams before joining the Leadership Team in 2012 as a Programme Support Co-ordinator and obtained the position of Business Manager in 2013. My current role is the Leadership Development Co-ordinator, working in the Culture, Talent and Leadership Hub.
In an ever changing NHS I enjoy knowing our work is helping NHS staff to develop their knowledge and skills to reach their highest potential and move with the times to make a difference to patient care.
On a personal level I am an avid Aston Villa supporter, and I volunteer for a local Animal Sanctuary rescuing and rehoming mainly dogs, cats and kittens.
Non-urgent advice: Emily Mason
Talent and Leadership Officer
[email protected]I have always had a passion for helping people and service users and stakeholders have always been at the heart of my work.
My first role with NHS England was in July 2020 in the middle of the COVID Pandemic, working in the Midlands Continuing Health Care team arranging and supporting Independent Reviews for patients who had been denied healthcare funding. I then worked in the Midlands Mental Health Clinical Network, supporting projects for Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Urgent and Emergency Care.
I joined the Talent, People and Culture Team in February 2024 and I am already enjoying my role supporting the talented people we have working in the Midlands.
Prior to joining NHSE, I worked in Local Government for 20 years as an Administrator for the SureStart programme and my first job was with The Prince’s Trust. As well as admin experience I have a strong background in finance, project management and communication skills.
In my spare time I enjoy, reading, gardening and of course spending time with my family.
Non-urgent advice: Ene Obodumu
Talent and Leadership Administrator
I joined the team as the Business Support Assistant. Prior to this time, I worked as an administrator in the education sector for 6 years and joined Guys and St. Thomas NHS Trust as a Business Support Officer with the neighbourhood nursing team. Last year, I gained valuable experience working part-time as a Customer service Representative in Covid vaccination team.Outside of work, I spend time cooking varieties, talking with my family and catching up with my friends.
Non-urgent advice: Eniola Oladipo
[email protected]
I am a Yoruba woman, born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. In a rather unconventional approach, my mother—a dedicated educationist—ensured that my primary language until I began formal schooling was our native dialect. As such, I trust you will indulge me during the occasional moment when I borrow a term from your dictionary. I hold my faith in God and personal integrity as foundational values, and I expect others to honour and hold me accountable to them.
My journey into the Transformation space has been a profound blessing. Over the years, I have had the privilege of leading both complex healthcare service transformations and people-centred change initiatives. Most recently, I served as Strategic Lead for Organisational Development at a London Integrated Care Board (ICB). I am deeply passionate about improving outcomes for individuals at scale and with urgency—through my professional work, personal pursuits, and voluntary engagements with charitable organisations.
As Deputy Director of People, Talent and Culture, I recognise both the privilege and responsibility entrusted to me in leading such a dynamic team. I am committed to fulfilling the vision of the NHS People Promise and am enthusiastic about collaborating to establish the Midlands region as a benchmark for best practice in talent and cultural excellence
Non-urgent advice: Faizah Mustafa
Talent Deputy Manager
I joined the NHS in 2019, initially in the NHS Supply Chain, then at Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CCG for a year before joining the Midlands Talent Management Team. Prior to this; I have led on projects at the Local Council and in the charity sector. My background is IT; I graduated in Computer Science with Management, subsequently spending some time working in IT Service Support before becoming a Project Manager. My passion and areas of expertise include Project Management, IT & Digital and Continual Service & Process Improvement.
My role within the Midlands Talent Team involves providing operational leadership and project management support. This involves planning and managing work streams of programmes with appropriate governance and controls in place. These programmes include managing and leading on the Midlands Talent Management Community of Practice, increasing the digital footprint and social engagement of the Midlands Talent Management team and sourcing, procurement and development of data sets and specifications. My work ultimately supports the best use of talent in the Midlands, as well as organisations to develop and implement their own Talent Management strategies and improve capability; enabling local health economies to develop their own best practice.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading inspiring books, keeping active (love HIIT workouts and lifting weights) and hiking. I have developed my passion for cooking and have recently made a healthier version of pizza (my favourite food) from scratch using cauliflower – tasted really good!
Non-urgent advice: Fiona McNamee
Systems Partnership Senior Programme Manager
I am here to support the Midlands Integrated Care Systems and the organisations within them, to be the very best they can be, for their people and patients, from a leadership perspective.
I have worked in the private sector, higher education and have also run my own creative industry business. I joined the NHS in 2009 at the East Midlands Strategic Health Authority, and prior to joining the team I worked at an NHS Trust as Head of Organisational Development.
I feel passionate and privileged to support people to flourish and have a fulfilling career in health and social care. My coaching, MBTI, Mental Health First Aider, Transactional Analysis and organisational development skills help me to do this in a compassionate and inclusive way.
Non-urgent advice: Naomi Porter
Talent and Leadership Deputy Manager
naomi.porter5@nhs.net
I started the role of Leadership Development Manager in 2020, having had a variety of stops in my career including Art Student, Homelessness officer, Estates Project officer and even a stint in hairdressing. My cumulative experiences have all been driven by a passion to help people and improve their lives in some way, which has been very useful for my work in the Leadership and Lifelong Learning team where we are all about making the NHS somewhere people really enjoy working, that works around their lives and results in better care for patients. I am proud to have contributed to the success of our team during some of the most challenging times both for the NHS and personally throughout the pandemic and look forward to much more exciting opportunities to keep pioneering. Outside of work I love weightlifting and performing aerial hoop and silks as well as illustration and baking.
Non-urgent advice: Nazim Haque
[email protected]
After university, I was trying to find my feet on which best career route to take, this ended up leading me to the NHS in 2018 as I love helping people with a positive attitude. I really enhanced my skills from working in Primary and Secondary mental health services – Psychological Therapies at Central and Northwest London NHS Foundation Trust. I then went onto working with the CCGs in my local area in London as a Committee Support Officer, working with senior members of the organisation.
I started my journey with Health Education England in 2021 in the Regional Business Team. Over this period, I have also worked with many teams within the organisation including Nursing and Midwifery, PMDE and now the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team since merging with NHS England.
Outside of work I enjoy watching documentaries/tv shows to switch off, love travelling abroad with my loved ones and exploring hidden gems in the UK through the national trust etc.
Non-urgent advice: Paul Newell
Talent and Leadership Deputy Manager
[email protected]I joined the team permanently in April 2024 as a Talent and Leadership Deputy Manager in the Midlands, where I support systems through our leadership development programmes.
Previously, I had completed a short secondment within the team as a leadership development senior manager focusing on reviewing the senior leadership onboarding offer.
My 19-year NHS career has included finance manager roles supporting primary care, dental, pharmacy and ophthalmic, along with experience in contracting and procurements. My other notable achievements have included 18 years as primary school Chair and 5 years as a Trustee for a Women’s charity.
Previously, I worked in the private sector, leading finance and payroll teams within a catering organisation and advertising agency. I have also had roles in an automotive organisation and fire protection company. For a brief time, I ran an art gallery at Hatton Country World with my partner who is an artist.
My other existing role is as the Regional Chair of BAME Network for the Midlands for over 4 years, playing a key role in providing support to colleagues through change and development, but providing safe spaces to discuss issues and successes and organising quarterly meetings including Black History Month.
I am so glad to be working within this team, as I am passionate about supporting and empowering people on their developmental journey, hence my ambition to complete
assignments to complete the ILM7 coaching qualification.
To switch off, I enjoy gym workouts, cooking, music and documentaries detailing people’s stories which I find really resonate with me.
Non-urgent advice: Peter Swan
Talent and Leadership Coordinator
[email protected]I’ve been working with the NHS since 2018, when I joined Health Education England on a Business Administration Apprenticeship. Since then, I have had the opportunity to develop my skills in business support and project management across a number of functional teams, including Organisational Development, lived experience peer education and clinical mental health workforce training.
I have enjoyed working alongside services and organisations to identify local learning needs and support growth and retention. I’ve also been developing my coaching skills to support teams internally.
Outside of work, I am an experienced dungeon master! I also enjoy keeping in touch with my time living and working in Japan through an ongoing study of the language and, when possible, visiting my old home in Kobe.
Non-urgent advice: Preith Bajwa
[email protected]
I am excited to be part of the Midlands People, Talent and Culture Team, my role is to cultivate our future leaders through strategic planning and collaborative delivery of our programmes across the 11 ICS systems. Such as the Aspiring CEO programme, High Potential Leaders, Systems Leadership, Board Development alongside supporting our strategic stakeholder relationships.
My portfolio has culminated in over 20 years of strategic senior/board roles, specialising in system level workforce transformation, HR and talent management, organisational and leadership development, change management, EDI, alongside fostering community relations and partnerships. My voice has always focused on how we impact the people we serve. I am humbled to have achieved several national awards in various roles: Contribution Towards Excellence; CIPD People Management Award for Change Management; Most Influential BME Individual; HR Distinction Award for Diversity and Inclusion, amongst others.
My board roles included: Primary Care Training Hubs; Director at WMFS, Vice Chair of AFSA, Governor for East Berkshire College and currently as a NED for a global brand. I have supported Board development and governance in my roles including at HEE, London School of Economics and the private sector. I have also been privileged to Chair BSol Training Hub and Derbyshire Hub+. I enjoy making a difference to the lives of others through executive coaching and mentoring – something I’m passionate about!
I like any excuse to enjoy time with family and friends, and to have a get together. I also enjoy kickboxing, running, reading, classical music and all forms of dance.
Non-urgent advice: Sumiya Khanam
Leadership Administrator
sumiya.khanam@nhs.net
Straight after college I started my apprenticeship in the West Midlands Leadership Academy as a Level 3 Business Admin apprentice in 2015, then secured a permanent position in the team whilst completing my apprenticeship and I have been with the team ever since through the changes over the years.Colleagues who know me well will know that I really enjoy cleaning and organising as I find it very therapeutic. In my spare time I like to spend most of my time with my family and friends, online shopping, watching vlogs, documentaries and reality shows.
Non-urgent advice: Wendy Walker
Positive Actions Programmes Inclusion Coordinator
wendy.walker25@nhs.net
I have been with the NHS since 2003 with an improvement background in a variety of business, administrative and training roles. During this time, I have covered areas such as event management, finance, programme and project management and support, estates, HR, marketing, and supervision, along with training of administrative staff. Prior to this, along with other administrative roles, I have worked on a cruise ship as a programme co-ordinator visiting over 46 countries and have trained and worked as a volunteer counsellor for a national charity. As the Positive Action Inclusion Co-ordinator for the Midlands Leadership and Lifelong Learning team my goal is to promote inclusion in everything we do and raise awareness of issues and celebrate the successes that diversity can bring.
Non-urgent advice: Yvonne Walker
Talent and Leadership Manager
I joined the NHS in 2014 on a six week contract – and never left! I come from a 20 year background in the private sector and have a background in finance and analytics, business management and operation, people, project, office and event management.
I enjoy the challenging and ever changing environment of the NHS and look forward to continuing working in the NHS England – Midlands, People, Talent and Culture team to build on my existing skills, work within a fast paced environment and give something back to the NHS. I also complete project management services around finance and procurement for the messenger Review Implementation Team who I have been working with since October 2022.
Away from work I enjoy spending time with family and friends and travelling; I also enjoy watching football, playing darts and scuba diving – but not all at the same time!