Posted on: 7 August 2024
Amanda Rowlatt was appointed to the role of Vice Chair of CNWL earlier this year and has now taken up the position at the Trust. To get to know Amanda a bit better and to hear what her plans are for chairing the Trust’s board, we interviewed Amanda about some of the things that matter most to her.
Amanda has an excellent track record in public service as a Chief Analyst (Senior Civil Service) which she left in July 2024. She has strong people leadership and strategic thinking skills and is passionate and knowledgeable about CNWL, where she served as a Non-Executive Director some years ago.
What attracted you to the role of vice-Chair here at CNWL?
I was on the CNWL board from 2014 to 2017, so knew how wonderful CNWL is. Mental health is so important - I’ve seen this chairing the government Wellbeing Analysis Board for many years. And CNWL’s community services make such a huge difference. I was looking for roles after leaving my full-time government job in July, and was absolutely delighted to see this CNWL role come up.
What does the job entail?
I support Tom Kibasi as Chair of the Trust, and I am part of the leadership team as a visible presence in the life of the organisation.
What are the best and worst things about CNWL?
I’m newly back in CNWL, and am some way from the front line, so I’ll be asking other people about that! When I was here before I thought CNWL was a caring place – running CNWL is a huge logistical challenge, but at root the leaders cared deeply about doing the best for patients and staff, and it seemed as though that culture had permeated through the Trust. The worst thing has to be not having enough money to do things that would make a real difference.
How has your work as a civil servant prepared you for this role?
As Chief Analyst, my role was to ensure the analysts presented full and balanced evidence to ministers on the consequences of their decisions. I have done this job at the Department for Transport, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and the Department for Work and Pensions (where I was also director for families and child poverty). I am used to dealing with really complex issues, and always trying to find the solution that is best for people. However working in central government can feel somewhat distant from what happens in real life communities, so I am really looking forward to going on lots of visits to see CNWL’s work.
If you had a superpower what would it be and what would you use it to do?
Being an analyst I’m going to just go straight for what really matters. I’d like the power to make everyone happy – in the sense of feeling valued and also being able to enjoy the positive things that happen through the day, whether it is friendly contact with others or the sight of a tree swaying in the wind.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I’ve got three lovely children, all working now. I enjoy going to the theatre, playing the trombone in my local jazz band, reading about current affairs, travelling - and walking briskly through Central London to get places; such a great city.
If you could go back in time and give yourself some advice, what would it be?
Appreciate what you have now, and enjoy the good things. It is too easy to let a long ‘to do’ list weigh on you, or to be focused on the past or the future, rather than making the most of each day.