Resources and insights
The latest industry news, interviews, technologies, and resources.
Women in Tech Shining Star Award
Hannah Granshaw
4 June 2026
Welcome to Chris Evans
We’re thrilled to welcome Chris Evans to the SmartCo Future Health team as our new Delivery Director. We recently caught up with Chris to learn more about his career journey, his new role and what excites him about being part of the team. Read on to discover his story and the valuable experience he brings to the team. Hi Chris. What’s your new role, and what will you be working on? In my new role as Delivery Director at SmartCo Future Health, I’ll be leading the SmartCo Future Health delivery team, ensuring our clients’ programmes and projects are delivered successfully, safely and securely, with minimal disruption to the healthcare organisations we support. I’m currently working closely with University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) to drive the successful delivery of their Electronic Patient Record (EPR) programmes. What has been your career leading up to SmartCo? Over the past 10 years, I’ve progressed from project support roles through to project and programme management, ultimately taking on Programme Director positions. During this time, I’ve worked with numerous NHS trusts across the UK and have played a key role in four major Go-Lives within the last three years. What excites you most about being part of the team? I’m excited to collaborate with the entire SmartCo Future Health team in the weeks, months and years ahead. We share a common goal, delivering the highest quality services in healthcare to create a meaningful, positive impact for both hospital staff and patients. What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on? I’ve had the opportunity to work on several exciting projects, including the delivery of a Maternity EPR at Derby and Burton, the first implementation of Outpatients and Self Check-In within the Nervecentre EPR at the East Midlands Planned Care Centre, and most recently, the first-of-its-kind Nervecentre PAS deployment at University Hospitals of Leicester. What’s something people would be surprised to know about you? I originally began my career in engineering after leaving school, but quickly realised it wasn’t the right path for me. A few years later, I found my way into project delivery within healthcare, and that’s where I discovered my passion and the opportunity to truly make a difference. Coffee, tea or something else entirely? Coffee – specifically a caramel latte (iced in the summer, of course!).
Hannah Granshaw
6 June 2025
Why I joined SmartCo Future Health…
Trust. Trust is the foundation of everything. At SmartCo Future Health, we build honest, reliable relationships by openly sharing company goals and decisions. We deliver on our promises to employees and customers, upholding the highest ethical and operational standards. Trust has shaped my career from the beginning. In 1998, my MSc dissertation focused on bringing three Trusts together, exploring clinical collaboration for a Public-Private Partnership investment in a single District General Hospital. My role was to assess how far collaboration with a neighbouring NHS Trust could go – an endeavour that relied on both strategy and trust in uncertain outcomes. Research confirmed what many leaders experience: collaboration is common, yet often unsuccessful. As Chris Huxham noted, partnerships frequently struggle. Rosabeth Moss Kanter, a key influence in my thinking, emphasised the importance of leadership cultures that empower individuals while creating space for partners to contribute and grow. For collaboration to work, trust must be built deliberately. It requires acknowledging the vulnerability that comes with uncertainty—whether in shifting clinical services or broader strategic decisions. Clear communication and structured frameworks make this possible. At SmartCo Future Health, we don’t just value trust – we actively build it. Our long-standing expertise in creating collaborative structures has shown that trust strengthens cross-functional teamwork. As Davis and Lawrence observed, when trust is in place, teams rely on each other’s expertise and judgments, leveraging their unique strengths. Trust isn’t just a principle. It’s the foundation for lasting success. About Jill With over 30 years of leadership experience across the NHS and private sector, Jill brings deep expertise in digital transformation, complex programme delivery and people-first change. She’s passionate about using technology as an enabler to drive better health outcomes and operational efficiency. About SmartCo Future Health SmartCo Future Health is an award-winning consultancy shaping the future of healthcare. We bring a best-in-class team and future-focused approach; empowering clients, programmes and partners. We are a people first business, prioritising employee well-being, flexible working and equal opportunities for all.
Jill de Bene
4 June 2025
Welcome to Jill de Bene
We’re excited to announce Jill de Bene has joined the SmartCo Future Health team as Director of Consulting. We caught up with Jill to hear about her career path, her new role and what motivated her to become part of SmartCo Future Health. Read on to learn more about her journey. Hi Jill. What will you be focusing on in your new role of Director of Consulting? My focus will be on enhancing our already outstanding consultancy offerings, ensuring they deliver maximum return on investment for our customers. I’ll also be working to grow the skills and capabilities within our consultancy team to continue delivering exceptional value. Can you share an overview of your career journey so far? My career has spanned the NHS, the private sector, major IT programmes in health, software companies and consultancies. I’ve also had the unique opportunity to lead the commissioning of a hospital in Africa and served as CEO of the Institute of Health Care Managers, an organisation that established the benchmark qualification for hospital managers, and one that remains a valuable standard in healthcare management today. What aspect of your new role are you most looking forward to? Collaborating with a team of exceptional consultants and making a meaningful impact. Having worked with some of them before, I deeply respect their values and ethos, and I’m eager to be part of their ongoing journey. What stood out about our mission or culture that made you want to join? What stood out to me most was the emphasis on trust. Trust is the foundation of everything. SmartCo Future Health fosters honest, reliable relationships by openly communicating goals and decisions. We consistently deliver on promises to both employees and customers, maintaining the highest ethical and operational standards. Read more on why I joined SmartCo Future Health here. What never fails to put a smile on your face? My son and walks in the countryside, whatever the weather. What advice has made the biggest difference in your life or career? Communicate, Communicate, Communicate. You’re stuck on an island. What’s in your survival pack? If I were stuck on an island, I’d want a survival pack filled with tools, things to dig, plant, grow and maybe even build a boat. I’m a practical person, so being able to create and sustain would be key.
Hannah Granshaw
4 June 2025
Welcome to Becks McCafferty
We’re excited to introduce Becks McCafferty as the newest member of SmartCo Future Health, stepping into the role of Resource Manager. We caught up with Becks to explore her professional journey, get a glimpse of her new responsibilities, and hear what sparked her interest in joining SmartCo Future Health. Read on to discover her story. Hi Becks. What’s your new role, and what will you be working on? I’ve joined the team as Resource Manager, where I will be focusing on our Associate and Consultant community. Helping to ensure all Associates continue to have a positive and engaging experience with us as we grow as a business. From onboarding to their day-to-day work, I will aim to help them feel connected to the wider business and our collective successes. I’ll be working closely with multiple teams to make sure we’re attracting great talent, supporting our Associates throughout their journey, and giving them an experience that’s every bit as engaging and valued as our permanent team. Tell us a little bit about your career background My experience spans across both fast-paced start-ups and large corporates, giving me a well-rounded perspective on how different organisations approach talent, processes and growth. My background covers talent acquisition, HR and employee engagement, always with a strong focus on building positive people focused experiences. Whether scaling teams up quickly or refining internal processes, I’ve always been led by creating environments where people feel supported, connected and set up for success. What attracted you to join SmartCo Future Health? Being part of a consultancy that’s making a real impact in such an important sector really resonates with me. On top of that, the culture felt like a great fit. The people focused and collaborative way of working stood out straight away, and there is such a strong focus on flexibility and work life balance, which is invaluable as a working parent. What excites you most about this opportunity? There’s so much potential to make a positive impact, not just processes, but a culture that makes Associates feel valued, included and to feel proud to be part of the success of SmartCo Future Health. I also feel excited about working with such a friendly and talented team. What’s something that always makes you laugh? My two boys always make me laugh. I have a 5 year old and my youngest is nearly 2. However, I will typically experience all the emotions before dropping them off at 8am, from joy and laughter straight through to anger, despair and anxiety! But luckily, most of the time they will make me laugh! If you were stranded on an island, what three items would you bring? An inflatable Lilo or maybe a life jacket. I can swim, but I’m not the best. Lots of chocolate My toiletries bag What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? ‘Say yes to new things’. Embracing new opportunities is normally a good thing!
Hannah Granshaw
21 May 2025
Our SmartEPR Ecosystem Service
As your strategic partner, we offer a one-stop supply chain for all components of your EPR journey, from early-stage readiness through procurement, implementation and optimisation. Through our SmartEPR Ecosystem, we provide access to tailored EPR intervention; a co-designed delivery service with your workforce and patients at the heart. This delivers an integrated, service model that aligns with national policy, supports your local clinical vision, and ensures transformation is safe, timely and sustainable. With SmartCo Future Health as your strategic partner, you gain not just a supplier, but a catalyst to achieve your EPR ambitions in a way that is faster, safer and tailored to your organisation’s EPR needs. A year on, and our NHSE Frontline Digitisation commissioned guide, “Making the most of EPR supplier/NHS relationships” remains just as relevant, if not more so. Offering practical insights into how to work effectively with EPR suppliers to deliver safer, smarter outcomes. We hope it continues to be a valuable resource for associates, partners and customers. EPR Guide – Supplier NHS Relationships – May 2024 If you would like to co-design your own EPR Ecosystem with SmartCo Future Health, or book a strategic discussion with our specialist EPR team contact enquiries@smartcofh.co.uk. About Taja With 15 years of consulting experience, Taja has led digital transformation across the NHS, delivering strategic advisory and technology programmes to improve efficiency, clinical outcomes and patient experience. Her focus is on large-scale digital healthcare initiatives, with a keen interest in how AI, predictive analytics and automation are shaping the future of care. At SmartCo Future Health, Taja’s committed to building a smarter, more equitable and sustainable healthcare system for future generations. About SmartCo Future Health SmartCo Future Health is an award-winning consultancy shaping the future of healthcare. We bring a best-in-class team and future-focused approach; empowering clients, programmes and partners. We are a people first business, prioritising employee well-being, flexible working and equal opportunities for all.
Taja Quigley
15 May 2025
International Nurses Day
Firstly let me say Happy International Nurses’ Day to all my colleagues past and present. Nursing is not something you do, it is something you are and I knew I was going to be a Nurse from the age of 14. Sitting at my Grandad’s hospital bedside, I watched the nurses go about their work with such calm, competence and care and I just knew. I was asked recently would I still go into Nursing if I was starting over and I absolutely would. It has been and continues to be a varied and meaningful profession. I feel very fortunate to have known early on about my career path, and I had a fabulous 16 years as a bedside nurse, in General Medicine, Palliative Care and then specialising in Intensive Care. What I hadn’t anticipated back then was a move into clinical informatics and then digital nursing. Having said that, I’ve always been a bit of a nerd (often describing myself as a ‘Nerdy Nurse’). When my friends were buying the latest fashion trend I was buying the latest gadget. I also sought to digitise everything, much to my fellow ‘techno-phobe’ colleagues’ dismay, from nurses skills passports to full-scale EPRs. Doing anything but colouring with the kids on paper just didn’t make sense to me. So digital nursing has truly been a revolution of bringing together two passions; patient care and technology. I’m very proud of being the clinical voice and the patient advocate in the digital health agenda. While those in these roles completely get it, the reaction from others has been interesting. I’ve been asked why I left nursing? And will I return to nursing once the ‘project’ is done? I’m still very much a nurse, in everything I do daily. I wholeheartedly believe in the cause of improving and changing the face of healthcare delivery with technology. Reassuringly, the importance is also front and centre of the NHS 10-year plan with the shift from Analogue to Digital. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been in a digital leadership role for the past 6 years and involved in many implementations and attempts at digital transformation. The successes are fundamentally driven by the people, not necessarily the technology (although good, user-centred tech really helps). I have many scars, accolades and lessons learned, and the part of my job I enjoy most is sharing this experience, knowledge and insights, in the hope the next attempt avoids the pitfalls and dines on the successes. I’m delighted to be working with SmartCo Future Health as an associate to provide a clinical insight into the great work they do and to share the little wisdom I have far and wide. True progress in nursing comes not only from compassion at the bedside, but from the courage to challenge the status quo and reimagine care for the future. Inspired by the legacy of Florence Nightingale About SmartCo Future Health SmartCo Future Health is an award-winning consultancy shaping the future of healthcare. We bring a best-in-class team and future-focused approach; empowering clients, programmes and partners. We are a people first business, prioritising employee well-being, flexible working and equal opportunities for all.
Hayley Grafton
12 May 2025
Introducing SmartCo Future Health
For over 5 years, SmartCo Health has combined deep healthcare expertise with a drive for innovation.We’ve worked alongside some of the most forward-thinking organisations in the sector, navigating change, driving efficiency and enabling better outcomes for patients and providers alike. The pace of digital transformation in healthcare is faster than ever.To meet this moment, we knew we had to evolve, not only in what we do, but in how we define ourselves. Today, I’m proud to introduce SmartCo Future Health.This isn’t just a new name. This marks a strategic shift in our identity, one that reflects not just where we’ve come from, but where we’re going. A Future-Focused Healthcare Partner SmartCo Future Health represents our renewed commitment to becoming a truly future-focused partner for healthcare organisations. We’re deepening our focus and investment on innovation, digital transformation and strategic consultancy to help our clients adapt and thrive in a fast-changing healthcare market. From supporting digital maturity to navigating workforce transformation and system redesign, we’re here to help shape the future of healthcare, not just react to it. Strengthening Our Team and Mission As part of this evolution, we’re also expanding our team. We’ve welcomed new talent across the business, individuals with fresh perspectives, deep expertise and the ambition to challenge the status quo. Together, we’re building a dynamic, multidisciplinary consultancy our clients need to tackle tomorrow’s most pressing problems. SmartCo Future Health is more than a rebrand, it’s a renewal of our mission: To empower healthcare systems to deliver sustainable, digitally-enabled, people-centred care. The Future Is Here The future of healthcare is here.And we’re here to lead the way with our partners, driving meaningful change, every step of the journey. About SmartCo Future Health SmartCo Future Health is an award-winning consultancy shaping the future of healthcare. We bring a best-in-class team and future-focused approach; empowering clients, programmes and partners. We are a people first business, prioritising employee well-being, flexible working and equal opportunities for all.
Rhys Hefford
8 May 2025