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The latest industry news, interviews, technologies, and resources.
Paul Gilliatt Appointed as Managing Director
We’re delighted to announce that Paul Gilliatt has been appointed as Managing Director of SmartCo Future Health. Paul brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the role, and his appointment marks an exciting and significant milestone in our journey as we continue to expand our team and evolve as a business. This step forward reflects not only our strategic ambitions but also the incredible progress we’ve made to date. It’s a proud moment for us – being in a position to make this appointment, with the subsequent Director level hires, is a true testament to the hard work, talent and dedication of our entire team. As we look ahead, Paul’s leadership will play a vital role in shaping the next chapter of SmartCo Future Health, strengthening our mission to drive innovation, build meaningful partnerships and deliver impactful solutions across the health and care sector. “Maturing and expanding our leadership team is vital for SmartCo Future Health to manage and sustain our successful growth. The contribution Paul has made to the business over the last year has been outstanding. His insightful views on the digital healthcare market, experience in major programme delivery and the personal values he displays made him the obvious choice to become our managing director.” Rhys Hefford, CEO “I’m excited to lead SmartCo Future Health on our mission to shape the future of healthcare: building our fantastic team; strengthening our client and industry partnerships; developing our value propositions; and continuing to support our clients to deliver improved services for patients and staff. Thank you to all our team, clients and partners for your part in our journey. Digital transformation is critical to the future of health and care, and it’s a privilege to be working at the forefront of this transformation.” Paul Gilliatt, Partner and Managing Director About Paul Paul works in partnership with healthcare organisations to deliver people- centred transformation that improves services for patients and staff. He has 25 years’ transformation experience, with 15 years leading national programmes and services in the NHS, including Frontline Digitisation. He is a graduate of the Major Projects Leadership Academy, a High-Risk Review Team Leader for the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority and a Mental Health First Aider. 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.
Hannah Granshaw
2 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