Public Health Spotlight S2 EP2 – Regional Director of Public Health (North West England)

Building Teams and Breaking Barriers: Andrew Furber’s Public Health Journey

In this episode of Public Health Spotlights, host Callum Gardiner speaks with Andrew Furber, Regional Director for the North West at the Department of Health and Social Care. They explore Andrew’s career in public health, from his early medical training to leading public health teams at a national level. He reflects on how his experiences in Nepal shaped his thinking around prevention and deepened his commitment to tackling health inequalities, both overseas and here in the UK.

A Turning Point in Nepal

Andrew began his career in clinical medicine, but it was during his time in rural Nepal, witnessing the devastating effects of spinal TB and other preventable illnesses, that his perspective changed. He came to see that health is shaped not only by medical care, but by factors such as education, income, and access. This experience led him to pursue public health as a way to drive long-term, systemic change.

Training, Mentorship, and Early Leadership

On returning to the UK, Andrew completed a master’s in public health and joined the national training scheme, which he describes as a pivotal period in his development. The programme gave him exposure to a range of areas including health protection, improvement, academic research, and NHS delivery, all supported by mentors who encouraged curiosity, critical thinking, and ambition.

Driving Change in Wakefield

As Director of Public Health in Wakefield, Andrew oversaw the transition of public health from the NHS to local government. He credits strong partnership working and cohesive teams for a smooth handover. One of his proudest achievements was a set of collaborative anti-smoking campaigns that helped significantly reduce tobacco use, an example, he notes, of what prevention can achieve when services, communities, and leadership align.

National Impact through ADPH

In his role as President of the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH), Andrew led the organisation through a period of strategic reform, achieving charity status, broadening national engagement, and influencing policy on issues such as vaping and air quality. He emphasises the importance of keeping frontline realities at the centre of national advocacy.

Recognition and Collective Achievement

Andrew was awarded an OBE for services to public health, a recognition, he insists, that belongs equally to the many teams he’s worked with. Whether improving screening uptake or launching local health initiatives, he takes greatest satisfaction from enabling others to lead and sustain progress.

Challenges and Optimism in the North West

Now leading public health efforts in the North West, Andrew is focused on some of the region’s most entrenched challenges health inequalities, deprivation, substance misuse, and child health. Despite the scale of the work, he remains hopeful, citing growing momentum behind prevention and more joined-up thinking across services.

Final Reflections for Future Leaders

Andrew offers candid advice to those entering the field: build your confidence, embrace variety, stay politically aware, and always value collaborative, passionate teams. His career is a clear reminder that real public health leadership is rooted in humility, service, and a willingness to learn.

🎧 Listen now via the link below or find us on your preferred podcast platform. Stay tuned for more conversations with public health professionals working to create meaningful change across the UK.