I have been working in the healthcare sector for almost thirty years. It has been an incredible journey.
Healthcare and me
I have a clinical and R&D background. I worked as a therapeutic outreach worker before training to become a behaviour specialist and then a counsellor for community, inpatient and specialist services. Over the years, I moved into innovation and transformation management and leadership before eventually working in digital health strategy.
I’ve never really had a career plan, other than to build on my capabilities to improve the experiences and outcomes of others. I tend to go where my interests lead me.
For example, I had the opportunity to work on the Microsoft Nuance Committee, developing ambient AI tools and ensuring mental health needs were considered in product development. And I have also served as a board member at NHSE and NICE, developing the Early Value Assessment framework to help bring digital technology products to market safely and efficiently, and to support NHS use and adoption.
In my spare time, I teach at the University of Surrey’s School of Health and Medical Sciences on digital health transformation, innovation, and service design. I am also a Board Trustee of Thrive, a mental and physical health charity, and a recurring judge for the BCS UK IT Industry awards.
Being a Principal Consultant
I did some consultancy work with Triad before joining as a Principal Consultant. I think the business has strong core values. It operates within a flat hierarchy that encourages connection, openness and autonomy. The company believes in its ability to ‘do good’, and as such, its potential to benefit the healthcare sector is fascinating.
My role at Triad is to define and develop our healthcare approach and build and consolidate a new public-sector domain. It is a challenging role. There are procurement barriers to joining the NHS. Public health sector funding is tight. And there are constant structural changes as the NHS evolves. The NHS often talks about the value and importance of diversity, but it can be reticent in considering those with strong credentials and experience across other public service domains. Inclusivity and collaboration are key to solving the complex problems in public health and care.
However, Triad was operating in the public sector before I had even joined the NHS. We have the expertise to help health providers deliver the government’s aspirations for the 10-year Health and Care Plan.
I love the autonomy and variety of my work. I get to meet lots of new people and explore what can be achieved collaboratively. It is rewarding to apply what I’ve learnt over the years. And I have grown comfortable with being uncomfortable – new environments and new challenges will, by their very nature, require stepping into the unknown. I believe that to learn, we need to step into that anxiety and trust in ourselves and others that we can do it.
Learning is a lifelong enterprise
I listen, read, ask questions – forever curious. I believe learning is a lifelong enterprise. I often reach out to explore new training opportunities or request to join groups to understand how they operate. I am not shy about asking to sit in with an organisation or team to better understand its operations and culture.
I think it is important to remain curious. Nobody has all the answers. There is always something new to learn. I try to bring the best version of myself. That is all I really have responsibility for.
Outside of work, I am writing my first novel. I have enjoyed learning the art of story writing and storytelling. My family are a great source of encouragement! I also enjoy cooking and being out in nature, which helps keep me balanced, and I exercise regularly.
If you have a question for Mark or the Triad team, please get in touch.
