Four UHNM Leaders Graduate from High Potential Scheme
Four UHNM leaders of the future have graduated from the NHS High Potential Scheme (HPS) - an innovative, 24-month career development scheme to help middle level leaders who have the ambition, aspiration and motivation to accelerate their careers to senior executive roles at a faster pace.
Joe Woodman, Head of Operations, Louise Stockdale, Head of Transformation and Sustainability, Chris Pickering, Emergency Medicine Consultant and Jessie Dickson, Deputy Director of Communications, graduated from the unique programme developed by the NHS Leadership Academy and co-designed in partnership with Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System on Wednesday 23 January. Joining them was former UHNM Biochemist Alexander Yates who now works at Countess of Chester NHS Trust.
Open to people in both clinical and non-clincial roles, the scheme is for those who have the potential and desire to progress into a senior executive role in health and care and UHNM graduates have been supported by career coach and mentor, and gained practical leadership experience in a range of roles and settings, and strategic experience through assignments, projects and shadowing.
Throughout the scheme the foursome along with colleagues from other NHS providers and local authorities in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent and Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin developed knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to become an outstanding, compassionate and inclusive senior leader across health and care systems.
Today Jane Haire, UHNM Chief People Officer, said: “Huge congratulations are to be given to our UHNM graduates on completing with flying colours Cohort 2 of the High Potential Scheme. Securing a place on this programme was a huge achievement and it was a real privilege to listen to the journey of their development at last week’s graduation event. I would encourage each of them to embrace every opportunity to continue their development, as they aim higher and be great leader role models.”
Joe Woodman, Head of Operations, said: “I have learned so much during the last two 2 years by being part of the HPS. I have gained further insight into what matters to me, and I have reinforced my core values. I have been able to further understand Urgent Community Care, System Partnerships / Collaboration and corporate Planned Care Recovery through my stretch assignments and I would have never been able to have these opportunities without this scheme.
“The last 12 months particularly have enabled me to understand more of the individual I want to be in, both in and outside of work, and a lot of the credit to that must be due to my HPS experience.”
Jessie Dickson, Deputy Director of Communications, said: “Taking the plunge and applying for the High Potential Scheme was probably one of the best things I have done for my personal development and growth. The support I have received by my sponsor and line manager has been fantastic as well as my UHNM colleagues who were also on the scheme. It has given us all an insight into the leaders we are and can be through projects and practical experience outside of our usual work areas.”
Chris Pickering, Emergency Medicine Consultant, said: “I am grateful for the opportunities that the High Potential Scheme has provided during the last two years. By having hands-on experiences in new roles across both Integrated Care Systems, combined with the invaluable time spent reflecting on my own leadership style, I have been better able to connect knowledge learned in the classroom to real-world situations. Taking part in the scheme has almost definitely helped in securing a regional advisory role at NHS England earlier this month.”