Public Health Spotlight S2 Ep10-Mike Sandys

Navigating Change and Collaboration: Mike Sandys on Public Health Leadership in Leicestershire & Rutland

Resilience, Adaptation, and Community Engagement on the Public Health Frontline

In this episode of Public Health Spotlight, Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health for Leicestershire and Rutland, joins Callum Gardiner for a candid reflection on his unconventional journey into public health, the evolution of the field over three decades, and the realities of leading across two distinct counties.

From Necessity to Purpose: An Unlikely Beginning

Far from a traditional career path, Mike describes how economic necessity set him on a course toward public health. After early setbacks and temporary roles, a chance opportunity as a Surveys Officer sowed the seeds for a career defined by curiosity, adaptability, and a deepening sense of purpose. He shares, with characteristic humility and humour, how the winding roads of financial management, research, and local government shaped a values-driven commitment to community health.

A Career of Adaptation and Impact

Tracing his route from Oldham to Salford, St Helens to Derby, and finally to Leicestershire and Rutland, Mike reflects on the shifting landscape of public health practice. He highlights how increased involvement in service delivery from smoking cessation and weight management to licensing and planning transformed the possibilities for local action. Moving between urban and rural settings broadened his perspective, driving home the importance of both scale and specificity in addressing health needs.

The Complexities of Joint Leadership

Charged with delivering public health services to both Leicestershire and Rutland, Mike offers an honest account of the challenges and benefits of joint DPH roles. He outlines the “hybrid” model that ensures each area’s needs are recognised, emphasising relationship-building, local accountability, and the strategic art of balancing “one team” with tailored approaches. Political shifts, governance hurdles, and resource constraints require creativity and diplomacy, while the richness of cross-county insight strengthens collaboration.

Building Capacity and Culture

Mike details his approach to growing one of the country’s largest public health teams, blending strategic in-house service development with asset-based community coordination. He credits financial efficiency, visibility, and close working relationships across departments as key drivers, while highlighting the value of a positive workplace culture where collaboration and authenticity thrive.

Learning, Leadership, and Advice for the Future

Whether navigating austerity, organisational churn, or the pressures of pandemic response, Mike underscores the need for resilience, self-belief, and long-term vision. He draws on formative experiences from career-defining training opportunities to challenging moments of change management to offer candid, practical guidance to early-career professionals. His advice: play the long game, invest in people, embrace opportunities, and recognise progress is incremental but impactful.

Listen now to discover how pragmatic, people-centred leadership is helping Leicestershire and Rutland meet today’s public health challenges with innovation, integrity, and hope offering vital lessons for those shaping the future of population health.