The Journey of Oliver Soriano: from childhood of care and compassion to chief nursing officer in the nhs
Mentor development programme: Unlock career growth with mentoring
The Mentor Development Programme will: Introduce the NHS North West Leadership Academy (NHS NWLA) and Mentoring Scheme
As the Chief Nursing Officer at Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Oliver Soriano has a career story that reflects resilience, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to nursing.
Are you ready to inspire, guide, and empower others? The NHS North West Leadership Academy’s Mentor Development Programme is your gateway to becoming a mentor and joining a thriving community dedicated to growth and support. The NHS North West Leadership Academy’s Mentor Development Programme provides participants with the knowledge and skills to become a mentor and to join the NHS NWLA mentoring hub and wider community. Delivered virtually, these sessions are interactive with a mix of group discussions and interactive activities, and space for individual reflections designed to keep you engaged and energised. You will get access to resources including pre-session reading and exercises in readiness to prepare you for the session.
His story is not just one of personal determination but also a reflection of the vital role coaching and mentoring play in breaking down barriers to career progression, particularly for colleagues from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
A selection of dates is available across the upcoming months for all North West NHS staff; there are no prerequisites to attend. View our website for upcoming dates and further information. Train the Trainer: Become a Mentoring Facilitator! If you want to take your leadership skills to the next level, we’re looking for mentoring champions to train as facilitators of the Mentor Development Programme.
“ didn’t stop there, he was rejected three more times when applying for a Band 8A Nurse Matron position. It was at this point that a Service Director from another team recommended coaching. “Coaching has been transformative for me. It’s not just about preparing for interviews; it’s about reframing challenges and finding more effective solutions.” Beginning his career in the Philippines Red Cross before coming the UK in the 90s as a mental health nurse, Oliver spent much of his early career in frontline clinical roles before applying to nursing leadership roles. “I was a Band 6 nurse for eight years, and leadership never crossed my mind. I always thought that if I was happy in my job, I didn’t “ need anything else. It wasn’t until someone approached me and said, ‘Oliver, I think you’d be great at this,’ that I even considered applying for leadership roles.” Even then, his path was not simple. He faced several setbacks, including two failed attempts at securing a Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialist position, before finally landing the role through persistence. But the challenges
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“Sometimes I cringe a little when I introduce
Explore the essentials of mentoring and how it differs to coaching
myself as a Chief Nursing Officer because I don’t like hierarchy—I still see myself as a nurse first. But through coaching, I’ve realised that I must acknowledge my achievements so that other BAME colleagues can see that this level of success is attainable.” The NHS North West Leadership Academy offers a dedicated Coaching and Mentoring Hub where individuals can register to receive support or give back as qualified coaches and mentors. To read Oliver Soriano’s full story, visit: NHS North West Leadership Academy website.
Consider the role of context and inclusion in mentorship
Explore and apply the key skills involved in mentoring
These sessions will support you with learning and skills to:
Undertake the training and support of future mentors
Provide space for new mentors to understand their unique mentoring style
Deliver this programme within your own organisation or for wider NHS delegates.
Inspire to take a developmental approach to meaningful conversations
This opportunity is being explored for delivery in late 2025. If you or a colleague would have interest in exploring this opportunity further, please contact: nwla.coachingandmentoring@nhs.net to register your interest.
Share learning, experience, tools and top tips
“Mentoring isn’t as scary as I thought…I have the skills and experiences to be a mentor. I need to learn to use silence more - pauses don’t need to be filled. I don’t have to be perfect at this - I can learn and improve as I go along, and I can access support.”
Click here to register for the: Coaching and Mentoring Hub.
By investing in coaching and mentoring, we can unlock potential, foster inclusive leadership, and build a stronger, more representative NHS.
Mentor Development Programme Participant
nw.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk | Leader
18 Leader | nw.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk
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