Dawn Fletcher-Wilde Senior Lecturer School of Nursing and Midwifery

At the start of my CMDA journey I was working as a Service Manager – Elective Care, at the acute hospital. Before that I had worked in mental health services at the same level having had a number of ‘manager’ posts but with nothing other than learning from predecessors.

During the course, I learned so many skills and gained so much knowledge on Management and Leadership, even in the first module, that I was soon asked to apply for a promotion into my line manager’s then role of Operational Business Manager - Diagnostic and Support Services. I was in this role and applying my learning whilst delivering on big projects and managing very large teams, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

During the pandemic I led and managed teams and projects vital to continuing patient care in the NHS during the most unprecedented and challenging times. The pandemic brought many complex operational challenges for the NHS, including data protection and legal compliance whilst working remotely.

At this point I was approached to take up a new position, as Head of Information Governance and Data Protection. I steered the Trust through its most difficult time, advising the board on data security for both staff and patients. During challenging times, I was able to apply my CMI knowledge, skills and behaviour to my operational knowledge to successfully lead my team and the Trust. At the same time as the above I also studied and certified as a Data Protection Officer (C-DPO), graduated from University with first class honours and won a Governor’s Prize for Highest Academic Achievement.

This made me realise that leadership and learning are my professional passions. It felt like fate when the opportunity arose for a Senior Lecturer in leadership programmes at the university - teaching the very course that had inspired and taught me so much. I took a leap of faith, leaving behind my 16 years in the NHS, and in December 2021 started at the university, and haven’t looked back since. I now deliver the CMDA programme and get direct student feedback on how my passion for the course comes through and helps with learning and understanding.

I feel very lucky and grateful for my CMI journey, it really has made me who I am today and opened up a whole new wonderful career.