Member to member / Embrace being part of the NHS

The appointment follows a year of significant events for Sheila – in December she won the HFMA Deputy Director of Finance Award 2016 for her outstanding leadership and technical knowhow; she also secured a place at the NHS Finance Leaders National Talent Pool development training centre that took place in June. We spoke to her about her shock on winning the prestigious award, the importance of practising before a job interview and her excitement for the HFMA annual conference 2017.

How did you start your NHS finance journey?

I started my career at Queen Mary’s Sidcup (QMS) NHS Trust in 2002 as a Management Accounts Assistant.  The trust supported me through my professional qualification with CIMA. I spent twelve years in the South East London sector working at QMS and South London Healthcare NHS Trust that was formed as part of the three way merger of QMS, Bromley Hospitals and Queen Elizabeth Woolwich.

Why did you get involve with the HFMA?

I have been a member of the HFMA for 10 years. I became a member of the association for a variety of reasons but mainly for the training and knowledge available and networking opportunities. The association has been extremely supportive of my career development over the years. I am currently deputy director of finance (financial performance) at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.  As part of my personal development plan agreed with my line manager I applied for the NHS Finance Leaders National Talent Pool that was being developed by the HFMA and FFF. I was successful in securing a place in the talent pool which commenced back in June this year.  Applying for and getting into the pool has supported me in securing my first director of finance role at Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust which I start in mid-November. The application and selection process was really good preparation for my DOF interview.  I was also able to draw on the content from the presentation that I gave at my talent pool interview for the two focus groups I undertook as part my DOF application.

How did you find being part of the talent pool?

Being part of the talent pool was a fantastic experience from start to finish and I have taken so much from it and would recommend the talent pool to anyone who has aspirations to becoming a DoF in the future.

Looking back, the application and selection process was really good preparation for my DOF interview. I had dusted off my CV and made sure that it was up to date. Some of the questions that I was asked at my interview for the Talent Pool were similar to those that came up at my DOF interview and the practice of having recently completed an interview made it easier to answer questions under pressure. I was also able to draw on the content from the presentation that I gave at my Talent Pool interview, so my thinking was reasonably developed and my delivery had benefited from the opportunity of a rehearsal. The CV writing and interview learning labs at the Aspiring Finance Leaders Development Centre were great and helped me to further improve my CV and learn more about coming across well during an interview. 

You won the HFMA Deputy Finance Director of the Year Award 2016. What were your first thoughts when you heard your name during the ceremony?

I was in complete shock and never expected to win. I was sat next to the member of my Medway team who had nominated me, she was absolutely thrilled and my first thoughts were to thank her for nominating me and putting me forward for such a prestigious award. I had so many people coming to congratulate me before I went on stage to collect my award, it was extremely overwhelming but in a very positive way! 

Did you submit any nominations for the HFMA Awards yourself this year?

Yes, I have put the MTW finance team forward for the Finance Team of the Year and have also written a supporting statement for my head of costing in support of his nomination for the HFMA Costing Award.  Last year winning my award was such a fantastic feeling and sense of achievement.  When I was interviewed last year I spoke about how fortunate I am to have such a strong team working for me at MTW and at Medway where I worked previously. Without such a strong team the director of finance and I at MTW would not have been able to achieve what we have in the past 18 months and I feel that the team fully deserve this recognition. We have recently also been awarded Finance Team of the Year at the Kent Surrey and Sussex HFMA branch conference. The team are absolutely delighted and can’t wait to hear the result from the national awards too.

What do you expect to be the biggest challenge in your new job?

I think the biggest challenge for me in my new role will be learning all about the mental health sector. I have spent 15 years in acute hospitals. I can’t wait now to take up my new role and the new challenge that faces me. I relish any opportunity to learn something new and this fantastic opportunity I have been offered will definitely satisfy that.

What’s the most important HFMA member benefit for you?

Being part of a large and strong network of finance professionals within the NHS and being able to use these networks to work together and face the challenges we all know lie ahead.

What piece of advice do you have for people who are starting their NHS finance journey now?

Embrace being part of the NHS, it is a fantastic opportunity. Being part of the finance function enables you to be able to influence and deliver better patient care and that is why we all join the NHS!  Ensure that you work closely with the fantastic operational teams who are front line staff, support them to deliver better patient outcomes effectively and efficiently.

Are you excited about the HFMA annual conference 2017?

Yes, I am I always looking forward to the national conference and the opportunity to network and hear from the national leaders in the UK and other countries. As I have said my team have also been shortlisted for Finance Team of the Year and we can’t wait to find out the outcome. Come on MTW!