The Director of Estates and Facilities at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Professor Tom Steele, has been awarded an honorary degree from Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU).
Professor Steele, himself a GCU graduate, was made Doctor of the University at the recent Winter Graduation Ceremony, receiving the honour from the Chancellor of GCU, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE.
He is a respected senior figure within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and across Scotland, having joined the health board in 2018. As Director of Estates and Facilities, he has overseen complex, transformational projects across the health service and has been a guiding influence in sustainable design, engineering and innovation.
In his speech of acceptance, Professor Steele said: “Honoured or humbled seem truly inadequate words for me to express my gratitude as I stand before you today … I am so proud.”
However, he was keen to give credit to those who have been instrumental in his success. “While this award is presented to me, my achievements have very much been a team effort, so to my inspiring role models, my mentors, my colleagues, and of course, my wife and family, I sincerely thank you all.”
Professor Steele grew up in the former mining village of Dalmellington, East Ayrshire, and after leaving school attended the local technical college, ultimately joining the estates department at Ailsa Hospital in Ayr. However, by the early 1990s he realised that he needed to pursue further education.
“I hit a glass ceiling and unless I got some further education my career was plateauing,” he said. “That was the impetus I needed to study at Glasgow Caledonian University.”
Professor Steele describes his time at university as a “real game-changer”, and he went on to gain senior leadership roles at NHS Forth Valley and NHS National Services Scotland before joining NHSGGC.
He now leads a team of 4,900 staff across more than 100 sites, working with them to ensure that NHSGGC provides the best possible environment in which to care for its patients, as well as practical and welcoming facilities for its staff and countless visitors and members of the public.
“It still gives me great pleasure every day to put on my ID and know that, in some small way, I contribute to improving patients’ experiences,” he told guests at the graduation ceremony.
Throughout his time with NHSGGC, he has maintained close links with GCU. He was the driving force behind a Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions, resulting in internships for students in Sustainable Urban Environment and Environmental Management. Then, earlier this year, he helped to establish a Doctoral Academy enabling the creation of six PhD studentships.
To round off his speech, and to sum up his ethos within the NHS, Professor Steele kept some of his most heart-felt comments for those who will follow after him.
Sharing some simple principles that have guided him throughout his career, he said: “Set a high bar for integrity and others will look up and follow. Do the right thing, whatever it is, and you won’t be doing wrong.
“Always act in the interests of others first, and be kind. We are all equal, so treat everyone with respect, always.
“Love what you do and get good at it. Always have an enquiring mind and don’t be afraid to ask questions.”
He closed with a few words of motivation: “Your career pathway is unlikely to be a linear journey. There will be success, there will be uncertainty, there will be disappointment, you may fail. If so, fail fast, and don’t be afraid to do so.
“When opportunity avails, or when someone gives you a chance, don’t let it pass you by, grab it with both hands, grip tightly, hard work works.”
Professor Jann Gardner, Chief Executive of NHSGGC, paid tribute to Professor Steele. She said: “I would like to congratulate Tom on his honorary degree. He is a highly regarded and valued member of the executive team at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.”
