Mara is sadly leaving after over 10 years with us. During this time, she has proven herself time and time again to be a strong leader with a passion for midwifery and a drive to make us the safest place to birth a baby. Mara has enthusiasm for developing both the service and staff; she has put her faith in developing her existing staff.

My personal experience of Mara as a leader is that she is incredibly supportive, visible, and makes things happen! I am grateful for the opportunities she has put my way and the time she has invested in supporting me in my career, and I'm just one of many.

Mara has led us through some of the hardest years we have ever known; those during Covid. I recall just how visible Mara was during this time, how she inspired and motivated staff with those Facebook updates we all waited for in anticipation weekly on par with the PM's national address!! There is never a time that Mara asks anyone to do anything she is not willing to do herself. Mara is held in such high regard that I think those shoes will be very hard to fill, and she will be missed by many, not just those in maternity services but across the Trust.