Barbara Begg

Head of Central Commercial Function

NHS England

What are you most proud of?

This is a bit of a deep question to start with - thanks HCSA! I’m quite proud of my sand and cementing skills 😊

Work related, I’m proud of what the team achieved through Covid and EU Exit and what we are delivering as part of the NHS Commercial Learning & Development Centre of Excellence.

What makes you angry?

When people’s words and actions don’t align.

What sports team do you support (if any)?

The only sport I take time to watch is the Oxford Cambridge Boat Race each year. I’m in the Oxford camp.

Which famous person would you most like to meet and why?

Joan Collins. What a fabulous woman and interesting life she has led.

What superpower would you most like to have and why?

Eidetic memory. Whilst I’m good with facts and figures, I always seem to struggle with recalling names and faces.

What historical figure do you most admire and why?

Sir William Hillary. Founder of RNLI who persevered to deliver a literal lifesaving service without discrimination and whose charter is still upheld 200 years later.

What’s your perfect weekend?

Gardening, walking with the dog, a glass or two of Sancerre and no drama.

What’s your favourite meal?

It depends on who is cooking.

Can you describe yourself in one word?

Passionate.

What do you hope to be doing 5 years from now?

I hope to be driving the agenda for our workforce development. Centralising learning and development is just the start of creating a more sustainable ecosystem. The wider agenda will develop talent in-house to support the NHS and ensure meaningful roles and long term career pathways for everyone in our community now and into the future.

Date: 21 January