“I’ve always had that drive to prove myself and to keep learning”

“At school, I was one of those ‘wasted potential’, ‘must try harder’ students,” says Derek Thomas CMgr MCMI, place director at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. 

Fortunately, this all changed when he entered the working world. 

At 19 years old, with no A-levels and his apprenticeship at Barclays cancelled thanks to the 1991 recession, Derek went to his local job centre to sign on, but was instead offered a role at another centre as an admin officer. 

“I quickly recognised that I really enjoyed helping people and working with others,” he says. “Suddenly, I had this ambition to be the best I could be – to develop and put myself forward for opportunities. I still have that now.” 

Two offers in one day

So began a 33-year career in the civil service, characterised by leaping from one challenging leadership role to the next – starting with managing Cornwall’s largest vacancy team in its flagship job centre at just 23 years old. 

After moving into learning and development and HR, Derek was identified on the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP’s) talent grid and tasked with turning around two struggling benefits offices. In 2013, his career hit a turning point when he was selected for DWP’s prestigious summer school.