Graham Rushbrook

Director of RBE Associates

I have worked in health and social care settings for 30 years, both as a social worker and subsequently a public health specialist. During my time as an NHS Director I led on the development of health improvement programmes that spanned sexual health and HIV, primary care development and training, always against a backdrop of change.  I have also worked at the Department of Health, leading on the public health input for the health champions and health trainer programme.

I work now on an advisory basis for both the Royal Society of Public Health and NICE focussing on the potential of behaviour change interventions across all statutory provision. A personal commitment to challenging discrimination was realised when I became a founder of the UK LGBT Health summit, now in its fifth year.

Setting up RBE was a dream come true, I get to work with amazing people and can develop strong relationships with individuals and organisations. I enjoy the challenge of helping things work better and if they can’t be fixed, finding ways that change can be effective by drawing on the experiences and expectations of clients and staff alike.

Professional

Certificate in Social Services; Approved Social Worker;  Advanced Award in Social Work;   Masters in Child Protection (Tavistock Clinic/UEL);  PETTLS approved trainer:  Prince 2;  Financial Planning certificates 1 & 2 (FSA);  Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health;  Member of the NICE professional development group for behaviour change

Career highlights

• While working at the internationally renowned Tavistock Clinic with abused children and their carers, I was thrilled to complete a masters programme.

• Becoming the Director of Health First, a specialist health promotion service for South East London. I was particularly proud of how we extended the services from NHS staff to our partners in the Local Authority and voluntary sector.

• Being a founder member of the UK LGBT  Health Summit, and seeing people without a voice being heard and making positive changes in the way that the NHS commissions and provides services.

• Being invited to work at the Department of Health to develop the health trainer programme and create a new, trained and qualified public health workforce.

When I’m not working…

I love travel, gardening, cars and shopping. My garden is packed with plants from all over the place. Travelling and shopping often combine, and I enjoy having different things that help me reminisce. As for cars, I dissapeared from my parents home at two years old and was found sitting in an abandoned car pretending I could drive- very Toad of Toad hall!

“Graham connects with all sorts of people in all sorts of situations. He has a lot of energy, bringing enthusiasm to others when they are flagging. He has an honest, open manner and always represents the underdog. He is really imaginative, not afraid to try new things or try things again that didn’t work well in the past by looking at what went wrong.  Above all else he brings emotional intelligence to his work and always sees the client perspective”