Four young leaders

Abstract

I had a very atypical career. I did not do any of the ‘right things’ that people traditionally do to get on in the NHS. I joined from school when I was 17 and started training as a laboratory technician because that would enable me to study further. I worked for three years but then hurt my back and was off for 14 months. It was suggested that I should leave the service, but I was determined that nobody would write me off. My parents were not in a position to give me financial help and did not know anybody who could give me advice