Gayna Deakin

Gayna started working with NHS Employers in 2016 and took up a substantive role in 2019. In April 2023 she became the deputy director for the national engagement service alongside a lead engagement role for the London region (since August 2021). Prior to this she was the engagement lead for the Midlands and East region.

She is passionate about the NHS and truly believes in the value that peer networks and social partnerships bring to supporting people leaders in making the NHS the best place to work, and to the HR profession's prominent place in the future of work, through engaging, connecting, collaborating, sharing knowledge, partnership working and improvement.

Gayna started her NHS career as a West Midlands regional trainee followed by several NHS operational and strategic HRM roles, including gaining experience at board level. She holds a postgraduate certificate in strategic workforce planning and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. By invitation she is also an active member of the CIPD Birmingham HR Leaders’ Network.