Non-Executive Director's shortlisting reflects her 'enormous' contribution
Alison McKinna, a non-executive director for Cancer Central, Acivico Group, Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the Collaborative Procurement Partnership LLP and Westbourne School Governor, has been shortlisted for the Women in IT 'Board Director of the Year Award'.
Alison is one of just seven finalists shortlisted for the prestigious award which recognises 'the impactful role of a female board member or senior executive board member of a company or not-for-profit organisation such as an endowment or charitable organisation.' Held annually, the Women In IT Awards seek to identify female high-achievers, advocates and role models in the UK tech sector.
Avril Chester, the founder of Cancer Central - which aims to help people affected by cancer find the support they need, says she is delighted to see a board director of a social enterprise shortlisted for such a prestigious award. Avril submitted a joint award entry for Alison on behalf of Cancer Central, Acivico Group, Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Collaborative Procurement Partnership LLP and Westbourne School.
"Alison has been with Cancer Central for just shy of a year, yet her impact has been enormous." comments Avril, Founder and CEO of Cancer Central. "As a hugely influential figure, she guides, advises, checks through the details and lends a listening ear. Being keen to demonstrate Alison’s focus on social impact, we reached out to other boards Alison sits on and within 24 hours every single one of them had responded with a nomination. That speaks volumes."
Mathew Mallett, the COO at Cancer Central, said: "Alison’s insights into Healthcare, Governance, risks and audit, combined with her passion to make a difference, has enabled the Cancer Central board to progress at pace through some challenging areas that, without her expertise, we would still be attempting to address. This, coupled with her great sense of humour and affable nature, has made our board much stronger."
Representatives from other organisations which work with Alison, echo Avril and Mathew's comments.
Dr Helen Phillips, Chair and Angie Smithson, Chief Executive, Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, saying:
"With around 12 years’ experience as a non-executive director in the NHS, Alison is a real advocate for patient care improvement that is underpinned by digital innovation.
"Her determined and passionate approach to 'digital first' has proved to be a major influence in the Joined Up Care Derbyshire Integrated care system. She has been a key influencer in the creation of a cross partnership 'data warehouse' that will enhance information sharing along the whole patient-pathway - as well as making the most of valuable NHS resource."
Ian Briggs, Non-Executive Director and Chair of Acivico Group, added: "Always at the forefront of critical issues such as pathways to carbon net-zero and recent national legislation on building safety marks Alison out as a highly accomplished individual. In addition, Alison easily overcomes some of the cultural issues sadly still visible in the construction industry where gender for some, remains an issue."
Scott Hinchliffe, Chair of Governors at Westbourne School, said: "Alison has been a Governor at Westbourne school with a special interest in safeguarding and running the Safeguarding Committee for two years, where we have seen a marked improvement and terrific interaction and support offered to the staff. Over that time, she has become a valuable member of the Board and has helped greatly this last year in particular advising the Designated Safeguarding Lead on moving teaching to online lessons in response to COVID."
Dawn Hanwell, Chief Financial Officer & Deputy Chief Executive, Leeds and York Partnership NHSFT and board member for Collaborative Procurement Partnership LLP comments: "Alison has brought good insight and clarity from the perspective of a non-executive board member to help us understand what good data and reporting looks like. Alison has led on shaping our enhanced reporting requirements which have enabled us to focus on the business strategy of delivering procurement savings across the NHS working with NHS supply chain."
The winner of the Women in IT 'Board Director of the Year Award' will be announced at an online awards ceremony on June 24.