issue 19 of Connect - University Hospital Southampton NHS ...

6-7 CONNECT ISSUE 19
GETTING
TO KNOW…
ALISON
THORNE-HENDERSON
HR DIRECTOR
Tell us a little bit about your
background
For the last 7.5 years I was the
Executive Director of HR at the
Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Prior to this, I worked in the
private sector in a broadcasting/
telecommunications company,
which grew from 4,000 to 26,000
employees in just four years.
I have also worked in several
well-known retail organisations in
HR, training and development and
operational roles.
Who do you have at home
My husband and two daughters,
who keep me on my toes.
What do you get up to in your
spare time
I like to spend time with my family.
We like travelling to see new places
and I love being out on the water.
I am a member of a charity that is
preserving a Second World War
vessel that was the lead navigator
ship in the D-Day landings. Once
I was at the helm where she was
being filmed for an enactment - we
were using pyrotechnics and the Isle
of Wight Ferry asked us if they were
under attack!
What’s the best book you’ve ever
read
The Kite Runner by Khaled
Hosseini. I
am hoping
to read A
Thousand
Splendid
Suns, also
by Khaled
Hosseini, the next time I am on
holiday.
Favourite film
I love all James Bond films but
also Enigma, which was shown on
TV recently.
What three items would you take
with you on a desert island
Photograph album of family and
friends, complete set of Shakespeare
in case I was there a long time and
an in-date pyrotechnic flare to make
sure I was rescued!
Who has
inspired
your career
My mother,
who in her
early years
had a career with Shell, Sir John
Harvey Jones and Anita Roddick.
Why did you choose to work for
the NHS
I wanted to work in an organisation
that really makes a difference
to people’s lives. I was
onboard Oriana
and heard
a speech to
HR directors
from Sir
Gerry
Robinson and
remembered
how SUHT
had saved my
mother’s life and
looked after her so
well a few years ago
- so here I am
Thanks a…
Chris Lindley has been
presented with a bouquet of
flowers as a special thank
you from the cashiers and the
private patient co-ordinators.
Sue Bailiss, commissioning and
contracts manager, who made
the nomination, said: “Chris is an
inspiration to all and an ambassador
for the Trust, who leads by example.
She never asks a member of her
staff to do anything that she is not
prepared to do and will
always ‘walk the job’ for
anything new that we are
asked to take on.”
Chris, who is head cashier
at SUHT, spends time with
long-term patients, giving
them advice on the benefits
they may be entitled to.
Sue said: “Chris is not afraid
of change and encourages us
to take on different challenges.
The department is a credit to
her and her team.”
Do you know a colleague who’s gone
beyond the call of duty Say thanks
to them! Email your nomination to
connect@suht.swest.nhs.uk
Flowers kindly donated by The Floral Shop.