External contributor / Michael Gravelle

I have worked at NHS Dorset ICB / Dorset CCG for the past 5 years and having made the move from a non NHS background have a wide range of experience and perspectives that I feel would be valuable to share with and support a mentee. My motivation to be a mentor comes from my own experience – I know how challenging it can be to adjust to a new sector and how useful it can be to have support and guidance. I also believe that the NHS finance community suffers from a limited perspective as so many people are long standing NHS employees and so I am keen to share insights gained from other organisations.

My finance roles have centred around management accounts, particularly the planning process, delivering business change and providing information and reporting that helps operational teams run effectively and efficiently. In my current role I am focussed on system working and collaboration between the ICB and Trusts (and local authorities) across Dorset. I am also the finance lead for the South West 999 ambulance contract and so have substantial experience working across organisations to negotiate and agree appropriate ways forward for funding services.

Before joining the NHS I worked at Dorset Police, leading the management accounts team across 2 forces. This role involved leading, and being part of, significant organisational change, with restructuring of the team and a merger of the finance function from both forces. I also implemented a new finance and HR system through which I improved the ease, accuracy and value or our reporting alongside process improvements across finance, procurement, payroll and HR.

Before qualifying as an accountant (CIPFA, 2012) I worked as a business analyst, database and IT developer and, early in my career, as an ecologist.

Outside of work I am a youth football coach, which is another level of pressure, stress and enjoyment.