Here's all about Caroline Gizzi, a former children's nurse who has been appointed Director of Operations for F&SS. 

Hello my name is…  Caroline Gizzi. Gizzi being an Italian surname, inherited just three weeks ago when I got married! It seems to be the source of much confusion in terms of pronunciation, I could share a few stories!! In simple terms, it is pronounced Jitzi!

I have a daughter who is 17, named Izzy who is just finishing her first year at sixth form, with the hope of going to uni to do law/criminology or a business degree.

I am afraid to say I live on the ‘dark side’ in Lancashire, in an old house which we renovated this last year, so it's been a busy time for us.

What is your position?  Director of Operations – Family and Specialist Services

Summarise your career background – I am a professionally registered children’s nurse and enjoyed a career in paediatric oncology/haematology (RMCH), general surgery (Oldham), as a children’s community nurse (Salford) and latterly, a children’s advanced practitioner.

In the last 15 years I have focused upon leadership and management and I have experience in 6 of the 10 Greater Manchester localities. I am passionate about system leadership and am an Advancing Quality Alliance fellow and have been priviledged to visit the USA and Valencia and brought back and implemented integrated system approaches to the UK. The development of partnership collaboratives at system level to ensure that people receive joined up care and don’t fall through the gaps that organisations create is remains a priority for me.
 

What is the highlight of your career so far?

Successful application to The Advancing Quality Alliance (AQUA) to be a Senior Improvement Fellow and female systems leader. I explored complex accountable health management systems in Catalonia, Valencia, Washington DC and Boston, with application of learning to the local system I was working within.

Sum up your role in three words

Directing/Strategy/Operations

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A primary school teacher

Who is your hero/heroine and why?

I am passionate about female leadership and equality in relation to women on boards! I love Jo Malone products and recently read her autobiography. What an amazing lady, an entrepreneurial business woman, grounded despite her millionaire status, a cancer survivor and immensely passionate about family. A true inspiration and a real example of ‘having it all!

When you are not at work, how do you relax?

Pilates, walking, spending time with family and friends, travelling, oh and I'm a bit of a shopaholic……

What is your favourite place?

Ibiza, Mykonos, Santa Monica

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I've desperately wanted to play a saxophone for years, recently invested in one, had lessons (which must have been quite an experience for my tutor!!) as I wanted to play sax over ‘deep house’ music!!

Twitter/Facebook?

Both – Facebook for personal use, Twitter for professional use - @cazdrysdale