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Experience
With a distinctive communication style, I have presented on executive education programmes at leading universities including at Imperial College Business School in London, Harvard University Extension School and Haas Business School at University of California Berkeley.
Originally a psychologist, my focus is always on people, relationships and culture. I bring an inspiring, values driven, unifying leadership style that aligns stakeholders, accelerates progress, and helps to deliver meaningful system transformation. I am confident operating across organisational boundaries, and I have a track record of building high trust partnerships in complex, ambiguous environments – at the same time maintaining an unwavering focus on outcomes for people and communities.
I have spent much of my career working in mental health both in the UK and overseas and I recognise the continuing challenges of providing high quality mental health support around the world.
After 25 years raising our family in Harwich, in 2022 my husband and I moved to rural Suffolk where we live busy lives that involve our children, grandchildren and a very demanding miniature schnauzer called ‘Nellie’.
Professor Susannah Howard
Director – Softwired Ltd.
Honorary Professor, School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex
My 35-year career in health and care has encompassed a unique breadth of experience gained both in the UK and around the world - working in the NHS and with local government and the voluntary sector in the UK, with the World Health Organisation in South East Asia, Europe and the Middle East and with leading universities in the USA.
Over the last decade as a local ICS leader, I brought my unique ‘softwired’ approach to the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System (ICS). In 2025, the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB was the only Integrated Care Board in England to be rated ‘outstanding’ (NOF1) by NHS England. The learning from the experience gained in Suffolk and North East Essex was captured in a report 'Our Journey Together' published in March 2026.
I have continued to share my knowledge and passion for systems leadership over the years through numerous national and international forums including The King’s Fund, International Conference on Integrated Care, NHS Alliance and NHS Leadership Academy.
In 2026 I was appointed as an Honorary Professor in the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Essex.
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