Samuel Hayward

Current Employer/Organisation Name

North Somerset Council

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

I studied at Exeter as an NHS Leadership Fellow, on the Healthcare Leadership and Management PGCert. Since leaving Exeter I completed my Speciality Training to qualify as a Consultant in Public Health. I then successfully applied for a Consultant in Public Health role at North Somerset Council where I lead on Health and Care Public Health. This is a varied role leading on the public health input to our Integrated Care System and Locality Partnerships, Sexual health, Substance use – drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, adult health and wellbeing including links with social care, and academic public health including clinical governance, research and evaluation.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

Public health is a fantastic field to work within, with roles that can be as broad as they are focussed. I’m particularly interested in health inequalities and the wider determinants of health and wellbeing. In my role I get to have big impact on the health and wellbeing of our population, and address inequalities through the high level strategic leadership of various topic areas.  I also get to work with great people, and on interesting subjects, from the climate emergency through to supporting people to stop smoking. 

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

I really benefitted from the space and time to explore what leadership and management both meant to me, but also importantly learn from theory and translate this into practice. I particularly enjoyed learning on implementation science. 

What did you enjoy most about studying here?

Exeter is a great place to study, the faculty at the time we’re very experienced and knowledgeable, but also approachable, engaging and supportive. 

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

The right course in the right place. 

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

Understanding leadership, and systems leadership in particular. I’m in a leadership role, and the learning from the course has enabled me to work both to my own style, but in a way that is inclusive, compassionate and effective. 

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Ensure you think early about training routes to become a Consultant in Public health, as training can take from 4.5-8 years. 

What are your plans for the future?

Continue in my current role, but look toward a Director of Public health role in the future.