Q & A with Rob Smyth
RCOT ’ s new Director of Strategy , Technology and Transformation talks about his background and career and maps out how his new role will support our future priorities .
Q
Welcome to OTnews Rob , can you tell our readers something about yourself , your background and your career journey to date ?
A My Dad was in the RAF , so we moved around a bit in the early days , but my formative years were spent in a small village in Lincolnshire . After school I went to Loughborough University to study political science and I graduated in 2004 .
I then began working at Milton Keynes Council as part of the national graduate development programme , before spending an interesting , but slightly strange , 18 months working for Ken Livingstone at Transport for London ( TfL ).
After TfL , I moved into a strategy and transformation role for Look Ahead Care and Support and during this time I also managed to complete my masters degree .
I subsequently began working on strategy , insight and digital transformation for Stonewater Housing , before moving into the assistant director ’ s role at Dacorum Council in 2014 .
This involved a varied portfolio , including strategy , transformation , technology , human resources , leisure services , customer services and the arts .
In 2018 , I joined Silva Homes as executive director with responsibility for strategy , change , human resources , technology , data and communications , and business planning .
I am now extremely proud to say that I ’ m the new Director of Strategy , Technology and Transformation at RCOT and I ’ m really looking forward to working with members and colleagues to help deliver our vision for helping people everywhere value the life-changing power of occupational therapy .
I ’ ve also recently started a PhD looking at how smart working can help unlock business potential .
Q
What was the most appealing aspect of the new role for you ?
A In both my personal and professional life , I have seen the profound impact that occupational therapy can have , and so the chance to work with members and colleagues is something that I am immensely proud of .
I am also excited to help transform RCOT to provide great services , to get more out of technology and ultimately to ensure we deliver real and lasting benefits for members and colleagues .
I am now extremely proud to say that I ’ m the new Director of Strategy , Technology and Transformation at RCOT and I ’ m really looking forward to working with members and colleagues to help deliver our vision for helping people everywhere value the life-changing power of occupational therapy .”
18 OTnews February 2023