Alumni Profile: Brigitte Kaviani
Alumni Profile: Brigitte Kaviani (née Nasser) attended HLC from 1979-1983 and was in York house. Brigitte was a prefect in her last 2 years at school.
Brigitte is currently in the role of Programme Director of People Experience at the South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and lead on a team with workstreams focusing on Mental Health, Health & Wellbeing, Retention, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging and Talent for over 72,000 Health and Care workforce. They focus on prevention, leadership and crisis support to drive inclusion, wellbeing and learning culture. One of their most impactful initiatives is the ICS-wide ‘Mission: Menopause’ initiative across South Yorkshire to raise the awareness of menopause for all workforce in NHS and Care across South Yorkshire. Brigitte was awarded the Employee Benefits Professional of the Year in 2024 and the team have been nominated and awarded several awards in 2023-2024 to include HSJ, Henpicked, Employee Benefits and HPMA.
You can read her interview below:-
Please tell us more about your time at HLC – What was the best thing about the school experience? What are your fondest memories?
I joined Harrogate Ladies’ College at the age of 15. My fondest memories were the friends that I had at the school. I lived in Bethlehem, Palestine and travelled back and forth at the end of each term. I had many supportive friends and their parents who invited me to stay at half term and exeat weekends. I enjoyed the various sport activities and opportunities offered.
What did you do straight after you left school?
After my A levels I went to Sheffield to study Diagnostic Radiography. After completing my course I remained in Sheffield and took up a role in Radiography at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield. I thoroughly enjoyed this period of my career but within a couple for years I was offered a leadership role to set up the first CT scanner in Sheffield. I had my son during this time so was a time with a lot of juggling of being a mum and a full career. I felt something was missing and soon afterwards went into an educational role with the Radiology department and completed the Education and Learning PG Diploma at the University of Huddersfield. I moved from a leadership role into an educational role. This was a unique role nationally. During this time I started travelling to developing countries to lead on educational Radiography programmes in Syria, Kenya, Egypt, Bangladesh and Zambia. This was one of the best periods of my career as I was able to support colleagues in developing countries. In 2017, soon after the merger of all hospitals in Sheffield I was offered the post of Deputy Operations Director leading on workforce (HR and OD) for the largest care group in the trust. In March 2020 a lot changed as we know and the following 12 months was the most challenging in my whole career. I led on the health and wellbeing of our workforce during a very challenging time.
In March 2021, I applied for a secondment role as Head of Health and Wellbeing at the South Yorkshire integrated Care System which then led to being offered my current role in 2024.
Tell us about the journey from there to what you do now?
As a Diagnostic Radiographer I had several roles from Junior Radiographer to Superintendent Radiographer of CT. I moved into an education role and then Operational workforce role at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. In 2021, I left the hospital after 35 years and took up the role of Head of Health and Wellbeing for 72,000 workforce in health and care in South Yorkshire. In 2024, I was offered the post of Programme Director of People Experience.
As well as all my roles I have always volunteered overseas.
Where around the World have you studied and worked?
I have worked in voluntary roles overseas in developing countries such as in Syria, Kenya, Egypt, Bangladesh and Zambia. I supported Radiographers and healthcare professionals in clinical training and first aid. I set up a non-profit organisations in Zambia called Global First Aid Zambia.
What advice would you give to someone looking to take part in/join what you do now?
You need to be passionate and want to support colleagues. You need to be driven and able to juggle many tasks and be innovative in coming up with new ideas. Working for the NHS is very rewarding. I have been fortunate to have been supported in my various roles.
What’s on the wish list for your future development?
I have recently taken up partial retirement and seeking roles in supporting organisations in developing countries to support Global Majorities.
Are you still in touch with girls that you went to school with?
Yes a few.
And in conclusion, how did your experience at HLC equip you for the successful role you are now in?
Spending 4 years at HLC gave me the grounding for my future education and I was able to build my confidence. It was the best years at school.
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