A Speciality Registrar Committee (SRC) Leadership Day took place on Tuesday 3rd March 2026 in Manchester, bringing together regional representatives and trade union student representatives from across the UK. The conference explored how public health professionals can understand, shape, and communicate their leadership identity going forward.
Whilst the morning focused on practical workshops around personal branding, influence, and visibility, the afternoon panel offered a rare opportunity to hear candid reflections from senior public health leaders on their own leadership journeys.
The afternoon panel included brilliant contributions from Champs Collaborative Directors Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health (DPH) for Liverpool City Council and Dr Rory McGill, DPH Sefton Borough Council. Each speaker shared an informal, honest account of how their leadership style has developed over time and how it has been shaped by key experiences in their personal and professional lives, values, and relationships.
Throughout the day there was a real emphasis on authenticity and consistency, as well as a reminder that visibility is not about self-promotion but about ensuring that the issues and communities we care about are heard.
Jessica Smith, North West SRC representative and Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership Public Health Lead, reflected on being part of the leadership meeting, saying:
“The session resonated strongly with my own journey developing a leadership identity.
“Much of my SRC role involves representing registrar voices and advocating for equitable training experiences. Hearing senior leaders speak openly about uncertainty, growth and the realities of their leadership journey reinforced that leadership is not defined by seniority but by how we act within the spaces we occupy.
“I left the session reflecting on several key messages:
- Our personal values should anchor our day-to-day actions
- Personal branding emerges in how we show up in difficult moments, treat our colleagues and work with the communities we serve
- Space for reflection is key – several leaders spoke about the need for adaptability and learning
- Influence is built slowly through relationships, credibility, and trust”
Dr Rory McGill also reflected:
“It was a lovely experience being able to take the time to reflect on my own leadership journey in advance of speaking to the Speciality Registrar Committee.
“What it reminded me of was how exciting and scary it can be to approach the end of Specialty training and what comes with that shift in your own personal landscape when you move into that more authoritative space.
“What is key to being a good leader in public health is being authentic and reminding ourselves why we are choosing this career path – to better improve the health of our populations in the most equitable way possible so people can live happy and healthy lives no matter who they are or where they come from.
“I believe the future is very bright having met the next cohort of future Consultants in Public Health who clearly have a passion to embrace their own leadership journeys and who are also willing to harness their own experiences to develop a better understanding of how to help our most vulnerable.”
