ByProspectus

Welcome to our leadership spotlight series, where we ask each leader 10 quick-fire questions so that we can give a little insight into the person behind a leadership role.

Hilda has been the Chief Admiral Nurse and Chief Executive Officer for Dementia UK since 2013. A dual registered nurse she has over 39 years’ experience developing and leading dementia specialist teams and services throughout the NHS.

During this time, Hilda has held senior positions in clinical services, hospital management and higher education. She held Principal Lecturer posts at both London South Bank University and University of Northampton, specialising in older people’s mental health, dementia and community care. She is a visiting fellow of dementia studies at the University of Northampton.

Hilda is particularly proud of setting up a nurse-led Younger People with Dementia service in Northamptonshire and still retains a small clinical caseload of families living with the effects of young onset dementia. Her doctorate focused on how and why social connectedness changes in families living with the effects of behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia.

She has recently published a book, along with two other colleagues, on young onset dementia, identifying how to deliver better and more appropriate support and care for individuals with the diagnosis and their families.

What was your first job?

Shop Assistant.

What is the best piece of leadership advice you’ve been given?

Always treat people the way you would like to be treated.

What or who is your most admired purpose-led organisation or person?

The late Queen.

What do you do to help ensure good mental health?

Walks, family time, gardening, put things into perspective and use a solutions focused approach.

What is the most impactful leadership decision you’ve made?

Recruiting people for the charity who have a set of values that accord with those espoused by our charity.

If you needed some sound advice, who would you call?

Peer group (for their experience and counsel) and family, for their ability to put things into perspective and to keep me grounded!

What is your dream job? (Apart from your current one!)

My current job is my dream job but if I had to select another it would be researcher.

Favourite place to eat?

At home, my husband is a good cook and my son was a chef!

Why are you in the purpose-led sector?

I want to make a difference and to serve people who are facing difficult times.

What are you currently watching or reading?

Bad sisters (Apple TV) I liked the mix of humour, plots and guess work.

Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us, Hilda.

If you would like to learn more about our work in the sector or would like to be featured in our series, you can contact us here.

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