Ade Adigun-Harris
Service Manager, Cambridge University Hospital Foundation Trust

Since joining the NHS in 1987 as a Planning Manager, I’ve moved through a series of roles, including Deputy Corporate Services Manager, Senior Commissioning Manager, Health Agreements Manager, Service Delivery Manager, a six month secondment as Operational Manager and now as a Specialist Medicine Service Manager. So, the reason why I was initially attracted to work for the NHS - the opportunity for career development in management - has certainly rung true.

The programme promised, and delivered, lots of access to development and opportunity at a senior level. I was confident I had the skills and experience, but I also knew these needed to be refined for much senior roles. I’ve found the programme to be very supportive and have already recommended it to colleagues - it really does provide the opportunities for networking, development and support we need as a group.

Having spent some time working on a national programme as Project Manager, my aim now is to achieve an Associate Director role within 18 months and then a Director of Operations role in either an acute trust or provider arm. And I’m pretty confident I can do it.

Neda Hormozi
Associate Director of Leadership Development - NHS Interim Management and Support (IMAS)

My first job was as postdoctoral research associate at Kings College, which I took while writing up my PhD thesis. It gave me a chance to savour academic life, so when I decided to join the commercial sector I did so because I wanted to work with people, participate in the action and work towards tangible outcomes.

Until 2004 I had worked in the print and publishing industry. I headed up the cultural and technological transformation of a London based company as strategic buyer and deputy MD, setting up an English language department for a German publishing house. From there I joined the NHS and worked on delivering a failing smoking cessation KPI for my PCT.

It was certainly challenging as I was participating in the delivery of the biggest public health agenda in my lifetime. With Smokefree England behind me, I was already looking for my next move within the NHS when I heard about the Breaking Through programme.

The Top Talent Programme found me a very senior and supportive sponsor and a senior level placement. It promises a fascinating education programme over the course of the next 18 months. I’d recommend Breaking Through to everyone who’s willing to take a challenge, and in fact I already do.

Pam Frost
Associate Director, Workforce Development

From the age of eleven I had aspirations to be a nurse. I commenced my nurse training in 1977 and after qualifying worked as a staff nurse on a surgical ward at the Royal Free Hospital, London. After several clinical roles in different specialities I became a ward sister caring for older people, a speciality that remains dear to my heart today.

Whilst working as a ward sister I realised my interest in teaching and as a consequence undertook my postgraduate teacher training diploma at the Royal College of Nursing. From there I became a senior lecturer, first at Middlesex University, then back at the Royal Free Hospital. In 1996 I became Learning and Development Manager at Surrey Heartlands NHS Trust, which was the first of a number of roles to incorporate becoming a CIPD Chartered Fellow and working in the area of human resources and workforce development.

I’m currently working as an Interim Associate Director of Workforce in Surrey and Borders Partnership Foundation Trust and I will be undertaking my placement for the Breaking Through programme as a Director for Learning and Development.

The programme appealed as an excellent way to develop myself and offered a route towards becoming a director in the NHS. The selection process was very impressive and the induction to the programme has really inspired me. I’d really recommend the programme and I know that with its help I can get to where I want to be - a Director of Workforce within the next 5 years.

Richard Stubbs
Associate Director, World Class Commissioning - Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust

After graduating, I worked in the media both as a journalist and in TV production. It was a lot of fun but it didn’t give me a lot of satisfaction in terms of contributing to society. The need for a change led me to the NHS, which I joined in 2002 through the Graduate Management Trainee scheme. My first role was an Operational Manager for NHS Direct and I also spent time working alongside Professor Beverly Alimo-Metcalfe, undertaking research into the transformational leadership competencies of chairs and non-exec directors.

Before joining the Breaking Through programme I was Head of Business Development at Doncaster & Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust where my lead responsibilities included practice-based commissioning, marketing and patient choice. I applied for Breaking Through because I wanted to take my skills and knowledge to the next level and the Top Talent Programme offered the opportunity for focused, intensive development.

I was impressed with the recruitment process and in particular the Development Centre. I found it tough but it also uncovered a lot about my leadership style. In five years, I’d like to think I’ll still be with the NHS. As it’s an organisation that moves so quickly it’s impossible to say what the opportunities are or where I’ll be, but I’d hope to be in a senior commissioning role.

Sharon Gregory
Divisional General Manager, Kingston Hospital NHS Trust, Women and Children’s Health

I joined the NHS in 1993, attracted by the diversity of opportunity. I joined straight from university having completed a Masters degree in Business Administration and Personnel Management. I was fortunate to be able to join Multifund, a pioneering initiative consisting of many GP practices across the entire Birmingham catchment area. I then went on to be an Assistant Manager at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals in Cardiac Services, before taking a Business Manager position in Primary Care in a community health trust.

From there I moved into a Business/Reprovision Manager role for Mental Health services which included the development of an Inpatient Acute Psychiatric Unit and planning for the closure of Stone House Hospital, Dartford. I also undertook a six month secondment at West Kent Health Authority where I led a project to introduce a mental health community support scheme across Medway/Swale.

I saw the programme as an opportunity to broaden my horizons, progress my career, gain exposure to new opportunities and developments, and an opportunity to take advantage of ongoing mentoring and coaching. What’s been most interesting is meeting with other, likeminded individuals. I’ve really enjoyed learning from and networking with senior members of staff at executive level.