Now our director of operations, Dan originally thought his future lay in law. After completing a law degree at the University of Sheffield, he set out to train as a solicitor, with dreams of life in the courtroom. “I wanted to be standing up and speaking, think Tom Cruise in A Few Good Men,” he laughs. “Instead, I found myself in a law library. That really wasn’t my thing.”

Looking back, Dan admits that his early choices were influenced more by expectations than by passion. “I think it was a mix of parental pressure and knowing I’d get the grades. When you’re that age, you don’t always know what makes you tick, you just follow what seems sensible.”

A series of sales roles followed, and by age 26, he’d realised something important was missing. “I needed to do something that mattered and made me feel good about myself.”

That realisation led him to the then-NHS Direct as a health advisor. What started as a short-term job quickly became something more. “Within a couple of months, I realised I genuinely enjoyed helping people. I came home with a sense of satisfaction I’d never felt before.”

Progression followed quickly. Dan moved into a shift manager role, then deputy site lead, discovering a real passion for leadership and supporting colleagues. He also began actively volunteering outside his role, participating in projects, collaborating with different teams, and taking on additional responsibilities to broaden his experience.

“I’ve always believed that if you want to develop, you sometimes have to raise your hand and say yes, even when it feels uncomfortable.”

When NHS Direct transitioned into NHS 111 and became part of NWAS, it marked a defining moment. “The move to NWAS was huge for me,” Dan says. “It’s a big organisation with clear pathways, but what really made the difference were the people. Leaders at the time didn’t just manage me, they invested in me.”

Throughout his career, Dan continued to volunteer for development opportunities, from contributing to national work to writing papers for boards and committees, helping him build confidence and corporate knowledge. “It meant extra hours and early mornings at times, but it opened doors and gave me exposure I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

Since then, Dan has progressed through senior operational roles, supported by mentors, leadership training and development opportunities across NWAS and the wider NHS.

In his role as director of operations, Dan reflects with pride on his journey from answering phones to leading at board level.

“It hasn’t happened by accident. I’ve worked hard, but I’ve also had the right support at the right times. NWAS really does give people the tools to reach their potential, if you’re willing to put the effort in.”

His advice? “The journey matters. Failures teach you as much as successes, sometimes more. Never be afraid to not know something. Ask questions, seek feedback, and invest in your development.”