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“I grew up in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. My dad was a primary school teacher and my Mum worked as an administrator for a fruit and vegetable wholesaler. I went to a big comprehensive school which wasn’t particularly academic. I was naturally good at science and one of only two girls who studied A-level Biology and Chemistry, and the only girl who did Physics. When my mum rang the school for my A-level results, the school secretary delightedly told my mum, ‘Jackie’s only gone and beaten the boys!’

“Fewer than 10 kids a year went to university from my school. It just wasn’t what most  people did. My Dad really wanted me to go to university, as he had himself to train as a teacher. And yet my Mum encouraged me to apply to the National Coal Board and get a job for life which was ironic given the sad collapse of the mining industry that followed!

“My job application was successful but I decided to take my Dad’s advice and went to the University of York where I studied biochemistry. I figured a science degree would help me get a good job further down the line. Going to university dramatically changed the trajectory of my life. It’s why I’m a massive believer in education because it was completely transformational for me.

“I met my now husband at university and as his parents lived in Australia we spent six months there working on farms, picking grapes and peaches, before travelling around the country. Gap years were quite unusual back then but we had a great time before returning to the UK where I completed a Master’s in Information Science at City University. My studies focused on how information is created, retrieved and disseminated, along with the evaluation of its impact on users and society as a whole.

“I spent the first year after getting my Master’s working for the NHS in the poisons unit at Guy's Hospital which was really interesting. It was a 24-hour service for clinicians seeking advice for situations such as when children had swallowed granny’s tablets, or for people who had accidentally eaten toxic mushrooms or had taken an overdose.

“My next job heralded the start of what turned out to be a 30-year career at the precursor of the pharmaceutical company, GSK. I had about 16 different jobs during my time there and worked with colleagues in the UK, Europe and across the globe. Initially, I joined a team supporting doctors who would write in, or phone, for information about the company’s products including the dates of clinical trials, evidence about a drug, and how they should prescribe it to their patients.

“It was GSK’s agreement to sponsor a part-time MBA that set me on the path to use my scientific knowledge in a more commercial role. It proved to be the best of both worlds for me as at university I’d never really enjoyed experiments and the smelly labs!

“Sometimes I look back and think I could have been one of those amazing people who use their science degree to develop cures for serious diseases. Then I remind myself that my work at GSK had a positive impact on improving health outcomes for people across the world. I helped to market medicines for depression, respiratory diseases, cancer and vaccines amongst others. For example, GSK was able to develop a vaccine which will eventually wipe out cervical cancer, once we can get all girls vaccinated globally.

I enjoyed working closely with scientists to develop clinical trial evidence for medicines, and with colleagues in different countries who were marketing those drugs to doctors. I was proud to be part of a team focused on doing good work which made a difference to people around the world. And working in the pharmaceutical industry meant I continued to use my biochemistry knowledge - in an applied way and without the test tubes!

Later in my career at GSK, I led teams leading transformational change across the European commercial business. This was a new area for me and, to support this shift, I was lucky enough to be sponsored by GSK to do a third Master’s degree in Leading Change, validated by the University of Middlesex. 

“I left GSK in 2015 after a truly fulfilling career, safe in the knowledge that, although I didn’t want to continue working full time, I still had plenty to offer. And so, I explored non-executive roles and have just celebrated a decade of working on boards in the health and education sectors which have always been two areas of keen interest for me.

“Since 2016, I’ve been a trustee at a multi-academy trust of four primary schools in Waltham Forest and Hackney in east London which I’m proud to say are rated as excellent by Ofsted. I chair the standards committee which means I’m responsible for establishing the targets and looking at the curriculum, teacher training and how we're developing our staff. We have really high aspirations for our pupils which, much like BNU’s student community, are very ethnically diverse. It’s great to be part of a team which is ambitious for the children’s futures. We invite young people from the local community to tell their stories of success at university. It’s about saying to our pupils, ‘this could be you, the world’s your oyster so be curious and grab every opportunity.’ 

“After leaving GSK, I remained really interested in health and became a non-executive director for the Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust in 2017. During my five-year tenure, I served as vice-chair and chaired the Quality Committee which looked at standards of care and focused on safety and the patient experience. The Trust served some deprived areas which, coupled with a lack of GPs, put real pressure on the hospitals’ services. So there were plenty of challenges for the board to consider and we supported the executive team in developing solutions. It was a fascinating role and I learned a lot.

“Next, I joined the board of Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust which includes my local hospital, Wexham Park, and Frimley Park hospital in Surrey. Throughout my NHS work, I’ve seen first-hand the positive ole of medicines in managing conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, which have a profound impact on helping people live healthier for longer.

“I'm the Trust’s maternity safety champion and every month I join the Chief Nurse and go into both hospitals to visit wards, the neonatal units and antenatal clinics. We meet midwives, doctors, pregnant women and talk to mums with newborns which means I get to cuddle lots of babies! My job is to listen to their feedback and ensure we're providing a safe and equitable service to women which is particularly important given the diverse communities the Trust serves. There are lots of important questions we need to keep asking ourselves around equity, fairness and equality, especially when English isn’t the first language for many of our patients.

“I joined the University Council at BNU in 2021 because I wanted to contribute to the university closest to where I live in south Buckinghamshire. I had previous experience of higher education having served on the board of the University College of Osteopathy where I was part of a team that achieved a successful merger with a larger organisation, thereby securing the College’s financial future.

“I joined BNU because it’s an organisation that shares my passion for leaving no-one behind. We give students opportunities that they might otherwise not have and I relate to that because of my own background.

“The graduation ceremonies for our nursing and healthcare students are a highlight of my year. You see mature students, mainly women, who’ve really had to juggle their studies with busy lives and battled to earn their degree. It’s brilliant to see the pride in those students, their families and the academic staff. And there’s so much mutual respect between the students and the staff which makes for a truly joyful and celebratory atmosphere. Emotions run high, especially last year when, as a graduate crossed the stage, a voice from the audience shouted out, ‘well done Mum!’.

“Throughout the year, Council members at BNU work with the Vice-Chancellor and his executive team to develop the University’s overall strategy and to gain assurance that important initiatives are moving in the right direction. We discuss where things are going well and how we can support the executive team with any challenges the University and higher education sector may be facing. Each Council member brings their own perspective and expertise from a wide variety of careers. What’s really important is that we have open and honest debates.

“I asked to join the student experience committee which has the fundamental task of ensuring BNU’s learners receive a high-quality education. Making sure we get that right is absolutely key. My two children have recently graduated from different universities and the insight I have gained from their experiences is very helpful in this committee. My commercial background means I have a good understanding of numbers and forecasts and so I also sit on the audit committee. I like to see evidence and data – and tend to ask a lot of questions - which comes from my scientific training. I’m still a biochemist at heart and in mind.

“When I went to university, I think my parents’ vision was that I’d work in a lab surrounded by test tubes. And although I’ve taken a different path to what they may have envisaged, my degree gave me that job for life and a career that continues to be very fulfilling. I like to think I did both my Mum and Dad proud in the end!”