Meet the Team

Sarah brings over 20 years of NHS experience spanning organisational and leadership development, talent management, HR and medical staffing, project and programme management, communications, and business management. She has worked across provider, commissioning and arm’s length body settings, giving her a broad perspective on healthcare system challenges and opportunities. A qualified coach and facilitator in 360 feedback and psychometrics, Sarah is passionate about supporting people to achieve their potential. In her current role she combines programme design, commissioning, delivery and evaluation with coaching and programme management to develop collaborative leadership across the region.

Sarah is currently undertaking a Level 7 apprenticeship in Systems Thinking, reflecting her commitment to understanding and addressing complex organisational challenges. Outside of work, she enjoys music, pottery, travelling, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and walking the North East coast with her husband and their Border Collie, Brody.
 
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This role encompasses support for staff at all levels across the NHS to see and reach their potential through formal leadership development, talent management support and crucially through access to coaching and mentoring. Throughout her career the key driver has always been to help people be their best selves.

Deb has worked as a coach & mentor in the NHS for 15 years, but has worked in the NHS for 34 years starting her career in nursing. Her career path has evolved into the current role through work in primary care, public health, service improvement and organisational development. Throughout this skills have been gathered through training in the use of varying psychometric and 360 assessment tools, plus coaching, mentoring and supervision development.

Claire joined the North East and Yorkshire Leadership Academy in 2016. Working predominantly within the Leadership Development workstream, she supports the planning, coordination and delivery of a range of leadership development and coaching and mentoring programmes across the region. She works closely with facilitators and participants to ensure a high-quality learning experience and supports colleagues to get the most from their development opportunities. Claire is passionate about creating opportunities that enable NHS colleagues to develop their leadership capability and achieve their potential.

A key part of Claire’s role involves supporting the regional NHS Coaching and Mentoring Hub, providing guidance and support to coaches and mentors, and helping to ensure high-quality coaching and mentoring opportunities are accessible across the region.

Claire is also the Regional Coordinator for the Mary Seacole Local Programme, leading the operational delivery of the programme across the North East and Yorkshire. Working alongside a team of local facilitators, she supports programme delivery, quality assurance and participant experience. As a trained facilitator, Claire also supports the delivery of the programme, helping participants develop their confidence and leadership skills.

As a trained Healthcare Leadership Model (HLM) 360 Facilitator, Claire regularly facilitates 360 feedback sessions, supporting individuals to gain insight into their leadership strengths and areas for development, helping them become more effective and compassionate leaders.

Claire is proud to work for the NHS and is passionate about leadership development, coaching, mentoring and supporting the wellbeing of others. She believes that investing in people helps create stronger teams, better workplaces and better outcomes for patients, staff and communities.

Outside of work, Claire enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, exploring National Trust sites and making the most of the outdoors. She also plays netball and enjoys keeping active.

Steph provides corporate support across business management and planning, performance management, communications, and budget oversight, as well as coordinating system leadership interventions. She also supports office operations, diary management, and the planning and delivery of events and programmes for the Academy.


Steph holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Leadership and Management and a first-class honours degree in Management. She is a trained Healthcare Leadership Model 360 feedback facilitator and an accredited facilitator for the Mary Seacole Programme.

Narinder joined NEYLA team in 2020 having previously worked in NHS England/ Improvement predominately in HR and Organisational Development. She has a keen interest in Organisational Development and has a degree in Business and Human Resources. In the academy Narinder is a Leadership Development Co-ordinator supporting Primary Care and Systems Leadership workstream. The role involves event planning, recruitment and marketing of Regional Programmes.

Outside of work she loves spending time with her family and going on walks with her Alaskan Malamute.