About Ann Macfadyen

I am a career social entrepreneur who has worked across institutional and professional boundaries. I have initiated, built and led award winning social enterprises, twice been a charity Chief Executive, worked freelance as a social entrepreneur for Scottish local authorities (ten years before the concept was fashionable), initiated one of the first large scale charity mergers (long story!), joined the NHS at Director/Board level (quite a culture shock), formulated policy at the Department of Health, attempted to set up an early NHS led social enterprise (5 years ago-not hugely successful), attempted to merge two NHS deaneries (only to have to de-merge them a few months later in the latest restructuring)-and more. I have a keen sense of social justice and in my ambition to do more and do better, I have never felt constrained by boundaries, norms or rules. I like to explore, to be intellectually curious, to import alternative ways of doing things into organisations, to borrow ideas from different disciplines, to make friends (aka networking) and to throw it all into the mix to do things differently.

I am results focussed and eager to get the job done. I act quickly and pragmatically. In both the third sector and the NHS I have encountered barriers that inhibit entrepreneurial behaviour and have learned (the hard way!) how to turn great ideas into viable enterprises. I have lost count of the number of times I have been told I ‘CAN’T’ do something. I believe passionately that NHS entrepreneurs CAN make a difference and a hugely powerful force for change is waiting to be released.

I am not scared to challenge or to take personal responsibility in making a difference. A former boss once asked me why I always had to be ‘first over the parapet, waving the flag’. I believe we need to reverse traditional assumptions and to make new associations in solving problems differently. Challengers and the people who ask ‘why?’ are valuable assets in both the third sector and the NHS. Through releasing their potential, organisations can achieve unparalleled success.