UHNM Chief Executive Award Winner: Sophie Storr
A senior workforce leader from University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has received recognition for her exceptional contribution to a Trust-wide organisational redesign programme.
Sophie Storr, senior people business partner for workforce and transformation, has been awarded UHNM’s Chief Executive Award by Dr Simon Constable after being nominated jointly by Jane Haire, chief people officer, and Katy Thorpe, chief operating officer.
The award recognises Sophie’s leadership in the first three phases of the organisational redesign, a Trust-wide programme to improve how teams work together and build strong foundations for the future.
Jane Haire, chief people officer, said: “With the completion of phases one to three, we believe this is the perfect opportunity to highlight and celebrate Sophie’s remarkable contributions.
“Sophie has been an instrumental force in the Trust-wide organisational redesign, a significant programme of work that she has managed alongside her regular responsibilities. This goes beyond that of a value award, given the breadth and depth of the contribution she has made.
“She has demonstrated exceptional dedication, putting in extensive working hours and showing resilience, professionalism and flexibility to ensure the programme was delivered on time and in a values-driven manner.
“Sophie has skilfully navigated challenges to find solutions appropriate to the size of the change programme. She has worked collaboratively with managers and leaders to design and implement the new structure, while tirelessly mitigating and managing associated risks.
“Leading enabling corporate services back workstreams and serving as a pivotal member of the steering group, Sophie has also acted as a vital conduit between the overall goals and the people affected by the change programme, ensuring robust and person-centred processes were in place.
“This has not been a business-as-usual change programme and has touched every part of our organisation. Sophie is often an unsung hero whose seamless efforts keep the trust safe. For these reasons, we highly commend her for this award.”
Presenting the award, Dr Simon Constable, chief executive, said: “It’s a big deal for our organisation, setting the foundations to make sure we’ve got our shape and form as strong as possible and looking to the future.
“This was a really important piece of work that started over a year ago with the engagement phase. I know it hasn’t been without its challenges, but the first three phases couldn’t have gone any better under the circumstances given the level of disruption involved.
“That is down in no small part to Sophie’s leadership and expertise, which have made all the difference, working with colleagues both within her team and across the organisation. There was something special she brought to this to make it happen.”
Sophie said: “I feel guilty because I’m just a cog in the wheel. As I’m presented with this award, I look around the room and there are so many people who have played a key part, including our operational teams, so thank you.”