What people say about Sam

Board impact

“You shifted the Boards I chaired more than anybody else did in improving their performance management and understanding of data. It was quite a long time ago maybe 8 years but quite how the NHS lets someone with your abilities is beyond me.”

— Alan Burns, Chairman, Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

“The support Sam Riley provided to our Board and wider organisation in pursuing our ambition to become truly data-driven was transformational. Her expertise helped focus the Board’s attention on the issues that genuinely mattered, enabling us to make better use of our time and resources rather than reacting to insignificant variation. I believe every organisation could benefit from her support.”

— Aaron Cummins, Chief Executive, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

“We started working with Sam to develop our integrated quality and performance reporting system over four years ago. She made performance charts and SPC so relatable! And a driving force in our improvement. We’ve gone from being labelled the worst performing mental health trust in the country to the cusp of good.”

— Zoë Billingham CBE, Chair, NHS Mental Health Trust

“I sat in a board room yesterday as a NED talking SPC Charts. Your legacy continues.”

— Anne Cooper, Non-Executive Director

“I’ve watched you and your teams progress over the years with respect and admiration and seen what a difference you have made in ‘Making Data Count’. Your legacy will continue to make a difference.”

— Karen Taylor, Non-Executive Director, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

“The day we embraced the principles of Making Data Count was the turning point in moving our organisation from data informed to data driven. Huge legacy.”

— Lisa Denton, Deputy Director of Corporate Services, Navigo

Training & session impact

“Delivering your Making Data Count slides made for the best board development session I ever ran. That was about seven years ago and I still have the speaker notes on my desk. It was a huge confidence boost for me.”

— Laura Hughes, Strategic Data & Analytics Leader

“Your work has had a huge impact, not least helping to bring together us ‘nerds’ and the decision-makers. I will treasure my spuddling cards.”

— Steph Wilson, Senior Analytical Team Manager

“You have unknowingly been instrumental in my career, thank you for everything you taught me, for the confidence I gained with SPC through your team, and the generosity the team always showed.”

— Joanna Moore, Associate Director of Quality Improvement, East London NHS Foundation Trust

“I still remember your funny and inspiring ‘Making Data Count’ session at the Improvement Directors Network in London… maybe 10 years ago? I was talking about this only a week or two ago. You have made a huge impact in the world of QI in Healthcare.”

— Zoe Egerickx, Team & Leadership Coach and Facilitator, Zoe Egerickx Ltd

National reach & seniority

“I’ve known you for over 25 years and you have always been brilliant. Thank you for all the help you have given, particularly to St George’s, GESH and latterly to us in NHS Wales.”

— Jacqueline Totterdell, Director General of Health, Social Care & Early Years, Chief Executive of NHS Wales

“Who’d have thought a conversation across the interview table about building a measurement for improvement team would end up being such an amazing movement. You should be hugely proud of what was created and all that’s been achieved.”

— Adam Sewell-Jones, Chief Executive Officer, NHS

“Thank you for all you’ve done, Sam. Your legacy will live on — in those who learnt from you as individuals, and in how the NHS will continue to use data to make better decisions.”

— Emily Lawson, Ex Chief Operating Officer, NHS England

International reach

“What a fantastic journey, and so grateful we got to join the movement towards better use of the data we have here in Vestre Viken HF.”

— Ida Waal Rømuld, Special Advisor, Quality Improvement, Vestre Viken HF (Norway)

“You have been an inspiration Samantha! Best wishes for your future endeavours.”

— Kedar Sawleshwarkar, Chief Quality Officer, Niwara Healthcare Improvement (India)

“Proud to be a part of a safer health system supported by data and analytics. An honour to work with Samantha Riley during her time in Australia.”

— Steven Bowden, Director Safety Intelligence and Data, Clinical Excellence Commission (Australia)

“Thank you, Sam, for everything you’ve done and for your support — truly inspiring. What you’ve built with Making Data Count is incredible, and the impact speaks for itself.”

— Catherine Evans, Senior Leader, Carmarthenshire County Council (Wales)

Legacy & personal impact

“You have been such an inspiration to so many. The impact you have had for analysts and in boardrooms cannot be understated. I hope there are enough of us out there to keep your work alive.”

— Simon Wellesley-Miller, Senior Analytical Manager, NHS England / Improvement

“You have been an inspiration and MDC has probably provided me with the greatest career development in 30+ years working with data.”

— Tom Read, Reporting Analyst and Quality Improvement Specialist, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

“You have single-handedly raised the awareness of the power of time-series charts across the NHS.”

— Simon Dodds, Independent Health Care Systems Engineer

“You were inspirational in my time entering the NHS as an informatics graduate trainee 16 years ago. Your work has been impactful and a meaningful legacy for a data professional.”

— Jess Holdstock, Head of Data Products Centre, NHS Blood & Transplant

“Sam you and the team are a huge inspiration. Making Data Count is firmly anchored in the psyche of NHS QI and in supporting organisations really understand their performance.”

— Joanne Guy, Assistant Director Value and Productivity Improvement, NHS England (personal endorsement)

“Thank you for creating such a wonderful and impactful movement, combined with your energy and enthusiasm — Making Data Count has fundamentally changed how we all approach Quality Improvement in the NHS.”

— Louis Edozie, Supplier Manager, NHS England