Head of Clinical Programmes-Professional and System Development, NHS England South East

When Stefano Pochetti arrived in the UK as an internationally educated nurse, he could not have imagined the career that lay ahead. Today, as Head of Clinical Programmes, Nursing Professional and System Development for NHS England South East, he leads programmes that shape nursing leadership, workforce development, and the quality of care delivered across the entire region.

Stefano’s portfolio covers some of the NHS’s most complex and sensitive areas of practice. A significant part of his work focuses on palliative and end-of-life care, where he collaborates with Integrated Care Boards, hospices, providers, and clinical leaders to deliver more personalised, coordinated, and compassionate services for people approaching the end of life and their families.

Alongside this, he leads multiprofessional workforce development and nursing leadership programmes, helping teams across the South East build the skills, confidence, and capability to drive continuous improvement in patient care.

What drives Stefano is the collective commitment he sees across the NHS every day.

“From frontline teams to system leaders, I see innovation, compassion and collaboration every day,” he says. “For me, the NHS is about people, opportunity and the belief that we can always do better for those we serve.”

His own story reflects that belief. Having joined as an internationally educated nurse, Stefano has progressed through frontline clinical practice to regional leadership — a journey that speaks to the NHS’s commitment to developing talent, embracing diversity, and creating opportunity for people who share its values.