Thank You Event 2025: Leader of the Year – Winner
June 17, 2025
Every year we celebrate our amazing staff and their achievements at our Thank You ceremony. Board members will surprise colleagues at their bases and present them with a hamper, balloons and a certificate for being shining examples of our magnificent staff behaviours.
Gillian Meakin, Change and Improvement Lead is the winner of the Leader of the Year award. She was nominated by Emma Ott, Business and Improvement Lead for “being a mentor, a source of encouragement, and a pillar of support, both in a professional and personal capacity.”
Gillian has been an influential, compassionate and encouraging leader. During stressful times, Gillian ensured the resources and time needed was available to produce quality work without succumbing to pressure and offered assistance in an encouraging and empowering way. She provided constructive feedback helping to refine skills and the approach taken. She is an active advocate for ideas, boosting staff members’ confidence. Emma praised her saying, “Gillian’s commitment to mentorship has profoundly influenced my career, instilling a sense of purpose and direction. Gillian's support has inspired me to adopt a similar approach in my own professional relationships, recognising the transformative impact a supportive mentor can have.”
Gillian’s leadership creates an environment where staff feel truly valued and respected. She exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding leader, seamlessly combining dedication and compassion with a solution-oriented mindset. Her ability to foster a supportive environment not only enhances team morale, but also empowers individuals to thrive, even in the face of adversity.
Emma also explained how Gillian supported her with personal challenges outside of the workplace during a prolonged illness. She consistently demonstrated genuine concern for her well-being, offering solid support and encouragement that “made a world of difference, allowing me to feel seen and valued, even when I was struggling to manage my health.” Gillian facilitated flexible working arrangements that allowed Emma to balance her health with her professional responsibilities and focus on recovery.
Gillian's unwavering commitment to her team and her exceptional ability to lead with empathy make her an invaluable asset to the Business, Change and Improvement Service (BCIS) team, and most importantly to Leeds Community Healthcare.
Ruth Burnett, Executive Medical Director presented Gillian with the award, thanking her, "Your dedication to making sure we have patient care and changing things for the better for our staff and for the patients we serve at the centre of everything, despite all of the pressures and all of the challenges, is truly invaluable. Thank you very much Gillian for being a fantastic leader!"
