The Healthcare Skills Training International Team

With more than 35 years’ experience in the healthcare medical devices industry, Diane worked for major multinationals whose products became market leaders in the UK and worldwide. Since 1989, Diane has focused on new surgical technologies and development of the required training courses for Medical Device Industry, surgeons and clinical teams to support advances in surgical technique. In 2005 Diane founded Healthcare Skills to develop qualifications for businesses and individuals in the healthcare sector, enabling them to achieve and demonstrate a high standard of practice. Her team includes expert faculty and advisors from across the sector and draws clients from private businesses, international optical and dental colleges, NHS Trusts and medical device companies. Healthcare Skills Training International is a licensed EduQual Centre delivering professional healthcare qualifications.

Graham retired from full time clinical activity in June 2015 and continues to be involved part time in appraisal and training to support the NHS. He has a long-standing interest in surgical education and training and continues to be active in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow and Academy of Clinical Educators as a senior clinical educator. Graham was a member of the Patient Safety Board of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh and continues as a member of the Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons faculty. He is a past Chairman of the Joint Surgical Colleges Fellowship Examination board in general surgery.

Mateen graduated from St George’s Medical School, London in 2008. His interests include community health programmes, emergency medicine, medical devices and technology. Mateen also has a keen interest in Mental Health, completing a Masters Level Advanced Diploma in this field. He is an accomplished clinical trainer and is a tutor at St George’s Medical School. Mateen is a practicing GP and holds a number of Medical Directorship roles in healthcare. With a background in primary care, Mateen is well positioned to understand the whole patient journey: from GP surgery to hospital, and on their return to the community. He strongly believes clinicians must hear the patient’s voice and empower those we care for. Mateen is an Executive Medical Adviser for the NHS, and is on faculty at Harvard Medical School (Surgical Leadership and Innovation). He is an honorary lecturer in primary care, public health, telemedicine and digital health at Imperial College, London and an appraiser for NHS England.Mateen has been a faculty member at Healthcare Skills Training International since 2017.

Denise began a career in clinical research, service, management and education in the field of communicative disorders at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in the USA over 35 years ago. She has worked in both public and private healthcare, the medical device industry and taught at post-graduate degree level, as well as providing professional education. She has served as an assessor of clinical competence and as an external examiner for professional organisations, hospitals and universities in the USA, UK and Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Australia for surgeons and other clinical team members, as well as device industry professionals

George was appointed Senior Category Manager in 2006, then was promoted to Head of Clinical Procurement at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. He is responsible for the purchasing requirements of 58 operating theatres and recent major projects include Trauma (£2M), Neuro (£6K), Spine (£2.3M), and Laparoscopic (£2.6M) among many others. .Throughout the pandemic, George managed all PPE procurement and provision for Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust.He has been central to the development and implementation of bespoke supply chain solutions from point of manufacture to patient use, and has been instrumental in reducing lost clinical time and improved productivity through procurement. George has been instrumental in cost reduction through the latest e-enabled technology, which enabled him to keep budgetary control in the healthcare facilities under his purview. George has encouraged suppliers, managers and clinicians to work together for the benefit of the service, supporting the development of innovative products and routes to new markets to create full partnerships at all levels in healthcare.George has been a Healthcare Skills Training International faculty member since 2010 and leads on our Procurement in Healthcare programme.

Lily is experienced in project management and team leadership, managing projects and transformational change across healthcare providers. Her board experience covers all healthcare providers, including partnership boards and health overview and scrutiny committees of local government. She is an experienced lecturer with skills in clinical education, leadership in healthcare and theatre access as well as a transformative life coach.

Mark is an experienced educator and healthcare professional with over 25 years of experience in the NHS. He graduated from Anglia Ruskin University and the Institut Universitaire Professionnalise Blaise Pascal, focusing on European Business and International Commerce. His early career included a placement in Surgical Information at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, and this role introduced him to the healthcare sector where subsequently Mark joined Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in Facilities Contract Management . From there Mark moved to Internal Audit, where he gained extensive knowledge of acute healthcare operations. As an advocate for patient centred approached in healthcare, Mark was heavily involved in the Future-Focussed Finance Valuemaker programme locally, regionally and nationally. This contribution earned him the Finance Professional of the Year award from the Yorkshire and Humber Healthcare Financial Management Association and the National Outstanding Contribution to Future-Focused Finance Award from the HFMA. In 2016, Mark joined the Scan4Safety program at Leeds and became a leader of the initiative in 2019, successfully establishing Leeds as a center of excellence. His outstanding contributions have achieved international recognition, including the Global Individual Leadership Award for Healthcare from GS1 Global in 2022 and the Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Award for Public Service from Anglia Ruskin University in 2023. Mark holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Education and a Postgraduate Diploma in Neurolinguistics and Change Management. He is actively involved in global discussions concerning healthcare standards and patient safety, advocating for innovative, patient-centred care systems. His comprehensive approach to project management has been recognized by healthcare leaders as a benchmark for effective project leadership.

Amanda is a graduate of Aberdeen University and has been a practising solicitor, notary public and enrolled member of the Law Society of Scotland for over 30 years. She has worked in the private and public sectors, practising both civil and criminal law. She served as a Legal Commissioner with the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission.Amanda has been a legal consultant within the HCS faculty for 20 years, lecturing in the U.K. and Europe. She focusses upon the key role and liability of the medical representative participating in patient care as a non-contracted, medically unqualified third party. Her overall aim is to ensure that the legal implications for both medical representatives and their employers are appreciated and understood thereby enabling safe working practices.

Jake is a graduate of Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School. He has been a full time Consultant Neurosurgeon and Spinal Surgeon at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for over 10 years where he is currently associate clinical professor. He has been awarded numerous research grants and has published widely. He is an executive editor for an international journal. Jake is a prolific teacher of peer clinicians and allied health care professionals. He is a pioneer of innovative surgical techniques and is a NICE specialist adviser. Jake has served as UK representative for training at the European Association of Neurosurgeons, responsible for organizing and delivering teaching modules. In addition, he is Foundation Program Director at the Post Graduate Medical Education Yorkshire Deanery. Jake runs courses on Human Factors and Simulation and was awarded a Clinical Excellence in Service Delivery by his trust for developing and establishing a new procedure. Outside of the UK, Jake has collaborated with colleagues and partnered local surgeons to develop a modern spinal service for the high numbers of paralysed patients seen in Bangladesh.

Sally is a healthcare professional with over thirty years experience in both the NHS and private healthcare. She qualified as an operating department practitioner (ODP) in the Royal Navy and since then has held a number of senior clinical roles including theatre matron and director of clinical services as well as holding lecturer practitioner positions in both the University of Surrey and Glasgow Caledonian University and was part of the working group putting together the diploma course for ODPs.In recent years she has been a director of operations for the surgical division in the NHS.

Beena Harkison [GDC 171089] graduated in Dentistry from the University of Witwatersrand in 2001 and then went on to obtain a Masters degree in Implantology (MSc Implantology) in 2004.She was a Research Fellowship Student at the South African Medical Research Council and worked in community care and private paediatric practice in South Africa. In 2011, she attained an MBA with merit from Imperial College, London. Upon moving to the UK, Beena joined Align Technology (the manufacturer of the Invisalign clear aligner system) and was Director of Clinical and Professional Education for Europe, Middle East and Africa before returning to clinical practice.During her time at Align Technology, she was responsible for training and education on the Invisalign system and presented at a number of events to both dentists and orthodontists. Her particular interests are minimally invasive dentistry working in a multi-disciplinary team, using digital technologies such as the Invisalign clear aligners, iTero intra-oral digital scanners and digital smile designs. She is an Invisalign Platinum Elite provider, a speaker for Align Technology, a MiSmile Mentor (MiSmile Network member and Teen mentor) and a consultant for Healthcare Skills Training International.

Dale Contell is an emerging professional in healthcare and education with a background in psychology. Trained in psychological assessment and intervention, he has developing experience working with diverse populations and a strong interest in human sciences and human factors. He is committed to translating psychological theory into practical, accessible tools for both educational and healthcare settings. He has contributed to the design of assessment protocols and support frameworks to identify learning barriers and cognitive challenges in schools. As a psychometrist for the South African Department of Education, Dale was involved in initiatives that supported learners and equipped educators through targeted training and evidence-informed practices.Currently completing his academic and clinical training as an intern psychologist, Dale is also engaged in research on BrainWorking Recursive Therapy (BWRT) in the South African context, with a focus on its potential for the rapid treatment of common mental health conditions. His interests include cross-cultural therapeutic adaptation and cognitive assessment, combining clinical expertise with research to drive meaningful change across academic and healthcare environments.

Paul Sim is Regulatory Affairs Manager at The British Standards Institution (BSI). He has worked in the healthcare industry for more than 35 years and has extensive experience in project-managing medical device regulations at EU level. Joining BSI in August 2010, he led the BSI effort, working with the Saudi Food & Drug Authority on the implementation of the SFDA Medical Device Interim Regulations.Previously, Paul held senior RAQA (Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance) leadership positions at Spacelabs Healthcare, Teleflex Medical, Smiths Medical and BOC Group.Paul’s medical device experience very broad: anaesthesia systems, patient monitors, vapourisers, ventilators, breathing circuits, single use sterile disposables and devices for re-use, infant warmers, incubators, steralisers, autoclaves, operating tables, infusion pumps and associated disposables, urinary catheters, surgical instruments, diagnostic cardiology and many others.He received the Langton Hewer Award to Healthcare Industry in 2010 for his contribution to the specialty of Anaesthesia, from the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain & Ireland, and is a member of Association of Biomedical and Healthcare Sciences advisory board on Healthcare Standards.Paul is a director of SiMedical Device Consulting and Deputy Chair of BAREMA (British Anaesthetic Respiratory Equipment Manufacturers Association). He is an Expert Member of the Medical Device Standards Committee and an adviser on standards to NHS England.Paul has been a faculty member for Healthcare Skills Training International since 2015

Willeke van den Hoofdakker is an accomplished professional with over 30 years of experience in oral healthcare and the medical device industry. She started in September 2023 in the role of Associate Director for Healthcare Skills Training International - Europe, where she is dedicated to delivering exceptional training programs to healthcare professionals.Throughout her career, Willeke has demonstrated a strong commitment to patient care and professional development. She started as a dental hygienist, providing comprehensive oral healthcare services and later became a practice owner. Her expertise in dentistry allowed her to gain valuable insights into patient needs and effective treatment approaches.Driven by a desire to expand her horizons in healthcare, Willeke transitioned into the medical device industry, where she held various roles as a Clinical Education Manager for industry-leading companies like Straumann and Align Technology. In these positions, she played a crucial role in developing and implementing training programs, empowering healthcare professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide exceptional care.In her current role as Associate Director for Healthcare Skills Training International - Europe, Willeke is dedicated to sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience with healthcare professionals across the continent. Her aim is to equip them with the necessary skills and qualifications to deliver outstanding patient care while upholding the highest ethical and professional standards.

Multi award winning cancer surgeon Professor Shafi Ahmed works at The Royal London Hospital. He is a member of the NHS assembly, advising government on NHS planning and was awarded the 2018 Future NHS Award by members of Parliament. He won the Silver Scalpel for best national trainer in 2015 and streams live operations (reaching the BAFTA shortlist in 2019). He was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for his humanitarian work and global surgical education.

Shafi is on faculty at Imperial College, Barts Medical School, Queen Mary University, Bradford University, Harvard Medical School and Singularity University and has set up surgical education programmes in over 20 countries, including conflict zones. He is associate editor for Annals of Royal College of Surgeons and is on editorial board member at BMJ Innovations. He is one of the top 20 global influencers in digital health and innovation.

He is a three-times TEDx and international speaker having delivered over 250 keynote lectures in over 30 countries on innovation, the future of healthcare and digital transformation.Shaffi has been a faculty member at Healthcare Skills Training International since 2021.