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Career planning

Returning to or starting an academic course or studies

We will explore why people undertake further studies, a series of major practical considerations, along with information about your learning style preferences, different course types and resourcing. We will also cover a series of ‘top tips’ for study success and focus on tackling academic written assignments and assessments.

Date Wednesday, 15 July 2026 15:00 PM - 16:00 PM
Where Details Online Online - MS Teams
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Level Details Suitable for all levels
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Lead facilitators

Darren Leech

Darren's professional background was in pharmacy. He then worked in general management and for over a decade, in operational roles at board level in three different acute hospital trusts.

Recent Accomplishments: 
Darren is head of the coaching faculty at NHS Elect. He has worked on the design and delivery of a number of key leadership development programmes and retains an active interest in academic research, education and the development of people. Completing a PhD in 2013, an executive coaching qualification in 2014 (ILM Level 7) and a CertCE (Psychology) in 2022, Darren’s research and a number of subsequent publications have focused on areas such as competition (in the NHS), leadership and coaching.

Sue Kong

Sue has 30 years of operational, strategic and board experience in the NHS, largely in London and the East Midlands. She is passionate about developing young people and promoting diversity in the NHS. Sue has an MBA (distinction), specialising in marketing and is a CIM Chartered Marketer. Sue is an editorial board member for the Journal of Patient Experience (SAGE) and has presented at Warwick Business School, the Institute of Directors and the 2020 Arab Health Congress. Sue holds the ILM Level 7 Diploma in Executive Coaching and Mentoring, is a member of the Association for Coaching and is passionate about coaching and mentoring colleagues from all backgrounds and disciplines in the NHS and is also keen on researching and testing use of AI in coaching. In 2024, Sue has been recruited to sit on the selection panel for the prestigious Oxford University & Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Ellison Scholars programme to find and fund students who will help solve some of humanity’s most challenging and enduring problems.