Biography
Nicola originally trained as a pharmacist and her clinical background has been a key asset in her work with managers and clinicians across various sectors of the NHS.
Nicola’s experience includes clinical pharmacist roles at teaching hospitals in London, Liverpool and Salford before working at board-level across NHS organisations for 15 years. She has experience in primary, secondary and tertiary care as well as having worked in commissioning at both local and national level.
Nicola’s strengths include NHS governance and corporate matters, especially in CCGs; Support for boards, governing bodies and other leaders to develop their organisations; Business development; Strategic and programme management advice; Support for the design and development of new partnerships; Leadership development, particularly for clinical and aspiring leaders. These skills are all underpinned by strong clinical experience that enables her to develop innovative solutions to local challenges and successful delivery of sustainable patient focused outcomes.
In her last NHS role as Head of Commissioning Skills for NHS England, Nicola undertook a governance review of NHS England direct commissioning responsibilities and led the work with GGI to commission a novel governance toolkit for throughout England.
In previous roles Nicola assisted the Department of Health with the design work for CCG establishment and wrote national governance guidance for CCGs. Prior to that she was Assistant Chief Executive in NHS Oldham and oversaw their corporate affairs and governance functions.
Beyond healthcare, Nicola has experience in the third sector more broadly. She currently serves as a trustee of The Lymphoma Association, a national charity and she has previously been a non-executive board member of New Prospect Housing, a community housing company and Raise the Youth Foundation, a Community Interest Company focused on improving outcomes for disadvantaged young people.
