I've been with NHSBT for 30 years, starting out as a session nurse on blood donation sessions. Over time, I moved into managing those sessions and lots of different projects along the way. That’s where I discovered my passion for continuous improvement, which really changed the course of my career.

I went from managing blood donation teams to focusing on how we could improve our services overall. That journey eventually led me to become an Assistant Director across both manufacturing and blood donation. Now, I’m proud to be the Programme Director for Blood Supply.

In my current role, I work on transformation projects across blood supply. A big part of what I do is all about future-proofing blood donation - looking at how we can make things better for our collection team staff while keeping everything running smoothly and making sure we’re still meeting donor and patient needs. The other side of my role is about increasing capacity, so we’re ready to support donation now and in the years ahead.

What I love most about my job is the people. I get to work with some amazing teams across the organisation. One of the best parts is bringing people together, digging into what the real issues are, and then working as a team to come up with solutions that really make a difference and help keep NHSBT a great place to work.

Every project is different. There are always challenges, but that’s what makes the highlights so rewarding - seeing something go from an idea all the way through to handover is such a great feeling.

Alongside my day job, I’m proud to be an ally of both the LGBTQ+ Network and the Neurodiversity Network. Having ADHD and Dyspraxia myself; Neurodiversity is something I’m especially passionate about. I helped set up the network and now I support it as a strategic advisor. It’s all about making sure people across the organisation feel supported, whether that’s colleagues or even donors who might need a bit of extra understanding.

You never know what a day will bring, who you’ll talk to, or what stories you’ll hear. At the end of the day, the best part is knowing you’re making a difference - both for the people working in the organisation and for the patients who rely on everything we do. A lot happens behind the scenes that people don’t always see, but every role matters - frontline or not.

Having had 8 blood transfusions myself, blood donation has always been very close to my heart and I’m proud to have worked for NHSBT for 30 years.

I hope to enjoy the remainder of my career here, making it the best it possibly can be for our people and patients.