Noreen Flook
BSc Econ (Hons) MHSM DipHSM
Noreen graduated with a degree in politics from the University of Wales before joining the NHS as a National Management Trainee in 1982. After completing the training scheme she went on to hold a range of posts at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, progressing to Assistant General Manager. This experience allowed her to develop a thorough understanding of strategic and operational management in the NHS. She developed several key attributes which continue to influence her strengths as a management consultant. She has sharp political acumen and an appreciation of how the clinical perspective can be best explored and utilised. She also has a thorough understanding of the roles and contributions of the various staff groups in the NHS and how these can be mobilised to make a positive impact on services.
Motivated by a desire to work in the disciplined environment of project-based work, Noreen moved into consultancy in 1989. She spent three years with one of the large international consultancy firms and during this time undertook several significant projects for hospitals, Health Authorities and the Department of Health. She joined Finnamore Management Consultants in 1992 and is one of the Company Directors. She has particular strengths in delivering the highest standards of project management and in providing realistic assessments of what needs to be done to complete a project successfully. She builds lasting and effective relationships with clients, inspiring trust and confidence. Her technical knowledge, her understanding of process and her skills in managing professional teams have made a major contribution to the development of the company and to the successful completion of a wide range of client projects.
Examples of Noreen's work include her successful project management of the business case to develop cancer services in Northern Ireland. This complex and politically sensitive piece of work resulted in a business case that achieved unprecedented levels of support across the health community. The outcome far exceeded the expectations of the client organisation. Noreen ensured success for the assignment by providing excellent standards of project management, which made effective use of time and resources. Her political awareness, and her skill in working with clinicians and other groups of NHS staff helped achieve a high degree of ownership. Noreen has delivered similar successes at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, and in a wide variety of service strategy reviews. Again, these assignments were characterised by disciplined processes, effective teamwork and highly positive outcomes.
Noreen is now the Company Director with responsibility for overseeing the continuous development of internal quality standards at Finnamore Management Consultants. She works to develop standards and the competence of the consultancy team through post-project evaluation involving client feedback, mentoring of staff and ensuring that lessons are learned and applied. This continuous emphasis on quality assurance enables the Company to offer the highest quality of service and value for money.