Gemma Ridley

Leading our South Yorkshire Innovation Hub, Gemma is responsible for advising and guiding the South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and its partners as well as place partnerships on development, adoption and spread of research and innovation across South Yorkshire.

Previously, Gemma was with NHS Confederation for 12 years, leading national programmes on inclusive recruitment, retention, community engagement and staff experience. Working on commissions from the Ministry of Defence, Health Education England, NHS England and NHS Improvement plus the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Gemma rolled out an Armed Forces recruitment programme, ‘Step into Health’, to over 100 NHS organisations across England and Wales. The programme helped over 1000 members of the Armed Forces community find sustainable employment within the NHS leading to Gemma representing ‘Step into Health’ at the royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The academic world did not suit Gemma’s goals therefore her career began in childcare and developed through roles within the Department of Work and Pensions plus third sector organisations.

Gemma loves cooking, baking bread and other tasty treats for her daughter. She was previously an honorary colonel with the British Army and grew up in The Wirral.