The first Chief Officer for 5050vision, Valerie Michej, took up post in July 2005. The Regional Forum had previously employed a development worker but took this step to try and increase the profile and degree of influence that it might exercise and to give more direction to the partnership.
Val’s professional background is predominantly in NHS management. She has 10 years experience as a Director including managing a major acute teaching hospital, a major PFI (Private Finance Initiative) and service modernisation scheme and more recently leading strategic workforce development at SHA level. Val has taken the Chief Officer post for 5050vision on secondment to pursue her interests in strategic partnerships and collaboration and to widen her experience by working outside the NHS.
The Chief Officer is hosted by the Regional Development Agency and supported by the Regional Assembly, Government Office, the NHS and Age Concern.
Born on Merseyside and now living in Cheshire, Val has worked all around the North West during her NHS career. She holds an MBA and an ongoing commitment to the career and management development of others. One part of her role in strategic workforce development has been to drive improvement in the employment practices of NHS organisations for example in flexible working. The longer-term employment opportunities available to the over 50s in the UK are rapidly becoming of more personal interest!