Meet the Team

Clive Spencer- Head of Leadership and Lifelong Learning

Clive has over 30 years management and leadership experience and has been Director of the Regional Leadership Academy for over 10 years. Initially trained and qualified as an Industrial Engineer he has gained experience in the private and public sector, mainly within Improvement/OD and Leadership Development roles but also has NHS senior operational experience. He is a qualified executive level coach and facilitator. He is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys walking, golf, skiing and DIY.

Deb Whalen – Senior Manager Leadership & Lifelong Learning

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.

Michael Ziki- Positive Action Programmes Coordinator

Michael has worked within the NHS for just under 2 years and has worked within the primary care and commissioning team, having predominantly worked in Finance and as a Trainer.

Michael has a Masters Degree in Financial Risk Management and is a great believer in continuous life-long learning and empowering others. His passion for personal development of others and a desire for a having happy and inclusive workforce has attracted him to the Academy.

Emma Reynolds- Leadership Development Administrator
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Emma provides administrative support to the Leadership Development, Coaching & Mentoring and Organisational Development workstreams and the Business function. Emma’s previous experience includes NHS administrative roles within Organisational Development, Project Management and Education. Outside of work Emma likes to make and perform music and has completed a degree in history.

Claire Carrick- Leadership Development Co-ordinator

Claire joined the North East and Yorkshire Leadership Academy in March 2017 having previously worked in the NHS for 5 years.

As the Leadership Development Co-ordinator working within the Leadership and Lifelong Learning team, Claire is responsible for the planning and delivery of Leadership and Coaching and Mentoring interventions and programmes. She is also responsible for the management of the Mary Seacole Local programme.

She is a Healthcare Leadership Model 360 trainer and facilitator and MBTI Step 1 practitioner.

Outside of work she loves spending time with her family outdoors at local beaches and parks. She also enjoys keeping active.

Steph Wilton- Business and Performance Officer

Steph is currently on a secondment as interim Business Manager

Steph supports on business management across the North East and Yorkshire including planning and performance, procurement and finance. Steph also supports office management, diary management and events/Programme planning for the Academy.

Steph has completed her Masters in Strategic Leadership and Management and a Degree in Management with a first class honors. She is also a trained Healthcare Leadership Model 360 feedback facilitator.

Sophie Stevenson- Leadership Development Administrator (GMTS)

Sophie joined the team in November 2022, she provides administrative support for the Graduate Management Training Scheme for North East and Yorkshire. She has worked as an administrator within the NHS since 2018, after graduating with a BSs (Hons) Psychology degree. Alongside her most recent administrative role Sophie has gained experience working as a Mental Health First Aider and is continuing this into her current role.

Glenn Sheard- Leadership Development Co-ordinator (GMTS)

Glenn joined the team in May 2022 as a Leadership Development Co-ordinator, supporting the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme for NEY and also the wider Leadership and Lifelong Learning work.

This continues his current six years in the NHS having joined us from Health Education England. Glenn’s roles have covered administrative, programme support (medical education and clinical specialities), events, stakeholder engagement and project lead roles.

Throughout his career Glenn has taken an active role in Equality and Diversity, Health and Wellbeing, this continues to be a passion and development area of Glenn’s

Narinder Kaur- Leadership Development Co-ordinator

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.

Mandi Sherlock-Storey- Head of Leadership

Mandi is a BPS Chartered and HCPC Registered Occupational Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience in the field of leadership and organisational development (OD) and coaching. She has worked with a diverse range of clients both public and private sector including, The House of Commons, various Housing Organisations and Local Authorities and Imperial College London.

Before joining NELA Mandi combined an academic career with business psychology consultancy. She has published work in the area of resilience in the context of organisational change and is a sought after speaker on the subject. Mandi is enthused by working collaboratively with clients to develop pragmatic and engaging interventions that make a real difference.

In her spare time she enjoys the countryside, wildlife and can often be spotted with a glass of red wine by a bird feeder!

Ashley Sands- Leadership Development Administrator

Ashley joined the team in January 2019 after previously working for the County Durham Drug and Alcohol Service.

Ashley is responsible for administration and communications support to the team including the fortnightly NEYLA newsletter, as well as ensuring the smooth running of the academy’s Leadership, Coaching and Mentoring workstream.

In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, visiting the Lake District and local beaches with her Cockerspaniel Miles, and attending live music concerts.

Lenny St Jean- Primary Care Programme Manager

Lenny Leads on Primary Care within the Systems Leadership Development team.  Lenny’s career has spanned a number of different sectors including Education, Prison, VCFSE and has focused on supporting organisations to engage their workforce and the people they serve to improve services and outcomes for those who use them. 

Uzma Hussain- Leadership Development Manager

Uzma has recently joined the team as Leadership Development Manager. 

As a former HR and OD Professional at NHS England and NHS Improvement, Uzma has acquired great insight into the work that NHS Leadership Academy has developed over the years.

Uzma looks forward to getting to know our stakeholders and work along the professional lines that the Leadership and Life Long Learning, North East and Yorkshire Team is so popular for!