Our team

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

Picture of 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  


[email protected]

07702442496

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: Faizah Mustafa – currently on secondment

Talent Deputy Manager

[email protected]

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

[email protected]

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

Picture of Naomi Roots

Talent and Leadership Deputy Manager


naomi.porter5@nhs.net
07712 544 708


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: 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

Talent and Leadership Senior Manager

[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: Racheal Naa Ayele Commodore

Talent and Leadership Administrator.


r.[email protected]

I joined the NHS in 2021 as a patient pathway coordinator at the medical records department team at the Great Ormond Street Hospital working on transitioning paper based medical records and face to face appointments to virtual appointments due to the rise in the COVID disease and to help catch-up with backlogged appointments. I also worked at United Lincolnshire NHS trusts with the Clinical Effectiveness Team which was an absolute pleasure as I gave administrative assistance during audit projects. I have a degree in Sociology and Social work and a master’s degree in Financial Risk. My passion is people. I love to help; I love to simply make a positive impact everywhere I go. My role within the Midlands Team involves a high-level administrative support in order to find the best talents to fill in high level positions to produce results of exceptional patient care delivery.In my spare time, I love to write books for children. I have a few written books and one published. I also initiated Tomorrow’s Farmers where I encourage our youngsters on backyard farming. I also have initiated a mother’s group where we have had talks with child development facilitators and religious leaders who encourage women spiritually and about the new changes with their lives and career at large.

Non-urgent advice: Sumiya Khanam

Picture of 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

Picture of Wendy Walker

Positive Actions Programmes Inclusion Coordinator


wendy.walker25@nhs.net

07786 702 732


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

Picture of Yvonne Brown

Talent and Leadership Manager 

[email protected]

07823 665 087 

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!