Introductions from the new members of the Health and Social Care Council
In November 2021 we held elections for our Health and Social Care Council, welcoming back several existing members as well as saying congratulations to two new members: Phillipa Winter from Softcat, and Sally Rennison from Patients Know Best. Below, Phillipa and Sally have taken the opportunity to introduce themselves to the wider techUK membership and set out some of their ambitions for the Health and Social Care Council in 2022.
To find out more about the council and see the full list of members, please see here.
Phillipa Winter
Account Chief Technologist in Health and Social Care and Central Government, Softcat
“I am thrilled to be joining the Health and Social Care Council in 2022. As a new member my aims and ambitions within this Council with the many wonderful talented leaders are limitless. The early opportunity is to bring my 27 years of experience as a clinician and latterly as Chief Informatics Officer working in the NHS, to offer interpretation between the provider and supplier world.
My current role as Account Chief Technologist in Health and Social Care and Central Government at Softcat, offers me a great opportunity and the privilege of access to many partners and suppliers within the technology ecosystem, both in the UK and across the Globe.
My desire to champion the use of emerging technologies in the sector and evaluate first-hand their application to communicate how technology and analytics can deliver successful outcomes in this sector. Technology has always been present in my personal and working life and it has certainly supported my previous employers in major change and transformation programmes to assist in successful health and social care outcomes.
Transitioning from a lengthy career in the public sector to the private technology industry, I am enthusiastic about being part of a council that can develop a comprehensive policy platform with clear asks of government on behalf of the industry and health and social care ecosystem.
I hope to learn from the others in the Council and develop our relationship with government and regulators to build the right market conditions for technology to thrive. It is vital we support a digitally literate and skilled workforce to ensure we can progress the adoption and deployment of innovation. Technology should be the golden thread through all transformation programmes and strategies, by supporting the sector it is my ambition as part of the council to work with my talented peers to collaborate across sectors and learn best practice, improve productivity, reduce harm, facilitate growth, and offer value for money by working hand in hand.”
Sally Rennison
Vice President of Sales, Patients Know Best
“Since I started my career in the Health and Social Care sector, techUK is an organisation I have learned from, contributed to, and watched grow and evolve. This evolution reflects the members who form techUK, and is also a testament to the Councils who run each sector group. Towards the end of 2021, the organisation I work for, Patients Know Best, became a member of techUK for the first time, looking to expand the opportunities for our staff and our business. One of the areas we were keen to engage in was the Council, and I was fortunate enough to be able to run for my organisation.
Given the extremely high calibre of individuals running, it came as quite a shock when I was successfully elected to the Council. As a result, I am determined to commit as much as I can over the next three years.
I am excited to be able to contribute my own experiences and ensure a strong representation of smaller businesses that make up the Health and Social Care members, alongside the medium and larger enterprises. More so than ever this is a fast-moving time for Health and Social Care and the role of technology has never been more important to contribute to changes that are required to ensure a continuous development to sustainable healthcare delivery. As a council member, I am looking forward to continuing to drive and support the needs of critical tech organisations and ensure the council is constantly evolving to be able to provide this support and guide key stakeholders in the requirements and guidance to ensure continual improvements.
Finally, being on the council is not just an opportunity to contribute through input but also to learn for myself, my organisation, and my industry, from the wealth of experience of those already on the Council, and the members the council represents, and to continue to forge strong relationships that underpin the ecosystem needed to support successful healthcare delivery.”
Alex Lawrence
Head of Health and Social Care, techUK
Alex Lawrence
Head of Health and Social Care, techUK
Alex joined techUK in July 2021 as Programme Manager for Health and Social Care. Since July 2023 Alex has led the Programme.
Alex formerly worked at Portland Communications, joining as part of their 2019 Graduate Scheme intake. In March 2020 she joined Portland’s Health team, supporting a range of clients in the life sciences industry across both public affairs and strategic communications.
Alex has a degree in History from the University of Cambridge, focussing on Early Modern Europe and material culture. Outside of work she enjoys reading, finding new places to eat, and running.
Robert joined techUK in October 2022, where he is now Programme Manager for Health and Social Care.
Robert previously worked at the Pension Protection Fund, within the policy and public affairs team. Prior to this, he worked at the Scottish Parliament, advising politicians and industry stakeholders on a wide range of issues, including rural crime and health policies.
Robert has a degree in Politics and International Relations (MA Hons) from the University of Aberdeen, with a particular focus on strategic studies and energy security. Outside of work he enjoys activities such as running, rugby, boxing and cooking!
Junior Programme Manager, Health and Care Team, techUK
Viola Pastorino
Junior Programme Manager, Health and Care Team, techUK
Viola Pastorino is a policy, governance, and strategic communication specialist.
She joined techUK as the Junior Programme Manager in the Health and Care Team in April 2024.
She has obtained a Bachelor of Sciences in Governance, Economics, and Development from Leiden University, and a Master's programme in Strategic Communications at King's College London. Her academic background, leading up to a dissertation on AI policy influence and hands-on campaign development, is complemented by practical experience in international PR and grassroots project management.
She is skilled in qualitative and quantitative analysis and comfortable communicating findings to varying stakeholders. Above all, she is deeply passionate about the intersection of technology and government, especially how technology and global discourse shape one another, the processes that lead to belief polarisation and radicalisation of communities, and crafting strategic narratives that steer public discourse.
Outside of work she loves reading, live music light operation, and diving.
Clara Hewitt
Programme Manager, Health and Social Care, techUK
Clara Hewitt
Programme Manager, Health and Social Care, techUK
Clara joined techUK in October 2023. She brings experience across a range of domestic and global health issues, with particular focus on digital health, HIV/AIDS and climate change and health.
Clara holds an MSc in Global Health and Development (University College London) and a BSc in Psychology (University of Birmingham).
Tracy Modha
Team Assistant - Markets, techUK
Tracy Modha
Team Assistant - Markets, techUK
Tracy supports several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Cyber Security, Defence, Health and Social Care, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!