Fabian Henderson's commendation video transcript

Fabian Henderson

SARAH SETCHELL: Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, Vice Lord Lieutenant, Deputy Mayor of Derby, Honoured guests, Graduands of 2025 and all our guests here today, it gives me great pleasure to be presenting Fabian Henderson for the award of Honorary Master of Science.

Fabian studied Law at the University and is now Deputy Director of Nursing Workforce Policy and Implementation for NHS England. During a career involving multiple senior leadership positions in NHS national workforce strategy, Fabian has played a pivotal role  in shaping policies that influence healthcare delivery and staff development at a regional and national level. His work directly impacts on the work that we do here at the University, through our provision for the health and social care workforce.

Fabian grew up in Derby, attended school at Woodlands Community School in Allestree, and graduated in Law from the University of Derby in 2004. Whilst at the University, Fabian started working for the NHS during summer breaks and joined the NHS after graduating.

Following a number of operational management roles, he secured his first senior leadership position with the NHS in 2008 as Strategic Workforce Development Lead for NHS Midlands and East Strategic Health Authority, moving to Head of Workforce Assurance and Surveillance in 2013. He progressed to Head of Workforce Policy and Improvement in 2016, where he was responsible for shaping key national workforce policies through a number of national NHS leadership forums.

Now Deputy Director of Nursing Workforce Policy and Implementation for NHS improvement, Fabian is responsible for advising the Chief Nursing Officer for England on workforce related matters and also the development and delivery of NHS England's national Nursing workforce strategy and improvement programmes.

He led the national International Recruitment programme, forming part of the government's successful 50,000 Nurses expansion programme, which was a government commitment to increase the number of registered nurses in the NHS in England by 50,000. He has also supported the development of the nursing elements of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. As a senior NHS leader, he engages with ministerial teams to ensure alignment between workforce planning and healthcare priorities.

Fabian is committed to driving social mobility through equitable workforce policies in the NHS to shape the future of nursing and healthcare staffing in the UK. He has ensured that the principles of social mobility and NHS workforce policy work together to create a diverse and skilled workforce that can address the unique challenges and opportunities within the NHS. This approach not only enhances the quality of care, but also fosters a culture of inclusivity and innovation. His work directly aligns with the University's fundamental commitment to social mobility, and we are delighted to be able to recognise his achievements with you all today.

Fabian's partner, Joanne, or as I have learned today, Jo, is joining him here to celebrate this award.

Vice-Chancellor, in recognition of his significant impact on public health services and social mobility within the NHS, we are delighted to award Fabian Henderson the honorary degree of Master of Science.

FABIAN HENDERSON: Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, Vice Lord Lieutenant, Deputy Mayor of Derby, honoured guests and most importantly, graduates of 2025, thank you. It's been both a privilege and a profound honour to stand before you today to accept this award from the University of Derby, a place where my journey began in higher education more than 20 odd years ago.

When I first arrived here as a Law student, I was the first in my family to go to university. I was part of a second generation immigrant family brought up by my mum and my gran, and the University education was completely new to us all. In fact, it was pretty alien. I didn't know quite what to expect or even what was possible, but Derby University gave me more than a degree. It gave me confidence, direction and a belief that people like me could belong in places like this. That belief has guided me ever since.

I spent my career in the NHS working on national workforce policy and championing social mobility, more importantly, striving to make sure that opportunity and fairness are not determined by background but by talent, commitment and compassion.

To receive this honorary Master of Science today feels like I'm coming full circle. It's a reminder of how education can transform lives, not just our own, but the lives of those that we go on to serve.

To the graduates here today, you're stepping into a world that needs your skills, your integrity, and your imagination more than it's ever been needed before. Use them boldly. You never know who you might inspire next.

Thank you to the University of Derby for this extraordinary honour and the part that you played for shaping my life and career.

Thank you.

Fabian Henderson's commendation video

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