Sodexo’s Lindsey Partington recognised at Ex-Forces in Business awards 2022
On September 8, 2022, at a gala dinner held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel, London, Sodexo’s Lindsey Partington, head of healthcare at HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Greater Manchester won the Military Values in Business category at the 2022 Ex-Forces in Business Awards
Lindsey served nine years in the RAF. She joined at the age of 19 years, training as a nurse at the University of Portsmouth during active service while based at Fort Blockhouse in Gosport. Having completed her training Lindsey was then posted to RAF Wittering, Peterborough.
Lindsey, then a Corporal, served on the MAU (Medical Admissions Unit) at the Ministry of Defence hospital unit and worked her way up to the position of senior nurse, Lindsey completed higher education courses in acute care, leadership, mentorship and chronic disease management, among others.
Lindsey left the military when she started her family and saw an opportunity to become a nurse at HMP Forest Bank, Salford which accommodates around 1,400 male prisoners. Lindsey spent five years as a nurse, she was then promoted to the role of clinical lead for primary care before being appointed in her current role as head of healthcare.
I am honoured to have been selected as the winner of the Military Values in Business Award. This was totally unexpected as there were many extremely talented veterans represented in this category.
Following my service in the RAF I have consistently carried my military values with me and uphold them within my team. I believe that those values shine through, and they are the driving force behind the work we deliver at HMP Forest Bank.
I am unable to put into words what this recognition means to me, but as always, I recognise this award with my team as without their hard work our successes would not be possible.
Lindsey is passionate about veterans in custody and has an acute understanding of some of the complex reasons individuals can find themselves incarcerated, particularly in relation to PTSD. Her empathy and first-hand understanding of the sometimes-difficult transition from military to civilian life has undoubtedly helped vulnerable people to open up and seek the help they might need.
Her military experience of working in an extremely challenging environment means Lindsey is prepared for the issues and incidents that can occur in a prison environment and her military experience proved critical in Sodexo’s response to Covid-19. She had completed regular exercises in preparation for a pandemic while with the RAF and was well rehearsed for the live situation. She instantly galvanised her team to keep them motivated, and both employees and residents safe.
We are delighted that Lindsey has won this award, The military values category recognises former service personnel who have successfully transitioned into a civilian career and applied military virtues and values throughout.
When Lindsey progressed to her role as clinical lead, her first managerial role, she focused on building a team which replicated the military’s strong ethos of togetherness, she was driven by the desire to act with integrity, building trust among the team of healthcare professionals which she has achieved and continues to do.
We are proud of all that Lindsey has achieved, and we have no doubt she will continue to excel in all she does; this award is well-deserved.