We are delighted to congratulate our very own Anna-Marie Tipping, a Royal Navy veteran and London Regional Lead for the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), on a strong Upper Second-Class Honours degree result, achieved through her Business Management Professional (Executive) Degree Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care at Manchester Metropolitan University, alongside a Distinction in the Mary Seacole Award.
Anna-Marie began the two-year apprenticeship in April 2024, developing her leadership and management expertise while continuing her vital work supporting NHS trusts across London through Veteran Aware accreditation for the Armed Forces community.
The programme provided a comprehensive foundation, covering senior leadership development, digital innovation and the creation of collaborative teams.
Balancing the demands of study with a busy professional role required dedication, resilience and strong time management. Anna-Marie credited the support of her tutors at Manchester Metropolitan University, along with Hannah Barnett, Apprenticeship and Early Careers Manager at Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital which hosts the VCHA, and Lt Col (Retd) Guy Benson, VCHA National Team Lead, for helping her stay on track.
The final assessment included presentations, a professional portfolio and a project management report. Through careful preparation and commitment, Anna-Marie excelled across all elements.
Reflection
Anna-Marie shared the following reflection on her experience:
“The NHS is a national institution and to work within it, I believe, is a continuation of service to our country when leaving the military. However, starting a new career after service can be really tricky. Learning how to work in a new company can be hard enough, but when you are joining an organisation like the NHS, it can be daunting. Understanding and embedding yourself in a new culture can cause anxiety around where you can fit in. This is where the uniqueness of apprenticeships within the NHS can support those in their new journey.
My apprenticeship contained units where I had to reflect meaningfully on what my values were, how I worked within my programme, and how my behaviours affected those I worked with. The leadership element helped me adapt different models into a modern and developing NHS. Change management and strategy encouraged me to apply what I have learnt in my role and develop more structure into my ways of working.
Apprenticeships are a fantastic option for those who are looking into development and educational opportunities who may not have wanted to enter through traditional pathways. They offer a hands on and collaborative approach to learning which encourages the student to lean into their strengths and uncover areas for development. As someone who has gone through both the traditional and the apprenticeship degree pathways, I can see now how apprenticeships open so many more doors for learning.
I encourage anyone who is considering developing their skills, improving their confidence and gaining additional qualifications to reach out to their learning and development teams to ask about the apprenticeship opportunities available to them.”
Anna-Marie Tipping MSc, BSc, BA, MIoL
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To access information on support available to the Armed Forces community, click here.
If you have a story to share or any story suggestions, we’d love to hear from you – submit yours and be part of this growing collection of voices celebrating the Armed Forces community. Email us at rnoh.vcha@nhs.net
