Meet Connor

I focus on shaping and delivering our strategy for partnerships across the NHS and wider public sector, with the aim of improving access to high-quality mental health services at scale.

A large part of my role is working in partnership with commissioners, ICBs, and Trusts/provider organisations to identify opportunities, develop new pathways, and support system-wide solutions.

At the same time, I work closely with teams across Clinical Partners to make sure our approach is aligned and deliverable - bringing together clinical, operational, and commercial perspectives so that what we design is both ambitious and sustainable.

Alongside this, I lead our national partnerships team to ensure we’re taking a consistent, strategic approach across regions.

Ultimately, my focus is on connecting strategy, partnerships, and delivery to create lasting impact for patients and the systems we work within.

For me, high standards mean ensuring that everything we develop stands up clinically, operationally, and commercially. It’s about creating services that are not only innovative, but safe, deliverable, and sustainable within the realities of the systems we work in.

In a commercial role, that also means being clear on value - making sure what we’re building genuinely meets system need, delivers impact for patients, and is viable long-term. It’s about balancing ambition with discipline and making thoughtful decisions about where and how we grow.

It also involves challenging thinking where needed - holding a high bar for quality and making sure we’re building partnerships and pathways that we can stand behind with confidence.

I originally joined eight years ago as an Assistant Psychologist, having just completed my MSc in Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology.

I was drawn to the opportunity to be part of an organisation that was genuinely trying to improve access to specialist mental health care, particularly at a time when demand across the system was, and still is, so high.

We were much smaller then, but there was a clear sense of ambition from the outset - to grow, to innovate, and to do things the right way. I really felt from our founders and the few that worked here at the time that CP had a culture that fit with my values around doing the right thing. That combination of purpose and pace was something I really wanted to be part of.

I was also interviewed alongside two beautiful office dogs, which swayed me as well!

The pace and openness to change. There’s a real willingness to evolve services quickly in response to system need, but without losing sight of quality.

I was also struck by how collaborative it is. There’s a genuine sense that people want to solve problems together, which makes a big difference when you're trying to deliver complex change.

A good day is one where we move something forward in a meaningful way, whether that’s shaping a new partnership, unlocking a challenge in a pathway, or aligning teams around a solution.

It also includes delivering something tangible for our NHS partners - progressing an initiative, solving a problem, or putting something in place that will directly improve access or experience.

It feels most meaningful when you can see how that work connects back to better outcomes for patients, even if that impact is realised further down the line.

Working across complex systems means balancing different priorities, perspectives, and constraints, which can sometimes slow progress.

I try to overcome that by staying focused on the shared goal - improving access and outcomes, and by breaking challenges down into clear, manageable steps. Strong relationships and open communication are key to keeping things moving.

There’s a strong culture of collaboration and trust. I’m supported by colleagues across clinical, operational, and commercial teams who bring real expertise and a willingness to work through challenges together.

There’s also space to take ownership and shape direction, which is important in a strategic role like this.

If you’re motivated by making a meaningful impact and want to be part of shaping how services evolve, it’s a great place to be.

It’s a fast-paced, growing organisation where things change quickly, so it really suits people who are proactive, adaptable, and comfortable with a bit of ambiguity. If you prefer something very steady or predictable, it may feel challenging at times.

I’d also say it’s important to take the time to really get to know the organisation when you join - there’s a huge amount of knowledge, experience, and expertise across Clinical Partners, and understanding that makes a big difference in how you operate and succeed here.

Ultimately, if you enjoy being part of building something, influencing direction, and seeing the real-world impact of your work, it’s a hugely rewarding environment to be in.