At Acorn Occupational Health, we’re proud of the work we do – but even more proud of the people who do it. Our team is made up of individuals from a wide range of clinical and professional backgrounds, all of whom found their way into Occupational Health through different journeys.
In this blog, we’ve asked a few of our team members to share their personal stories: where they started, how they transitioned into Occupational Health, and what keeps them passionate about their roles.
We hope these insights offer a glimpse into the values and motivations behind the work we do and especially, why Occupational Health is such a rewarding and meaningful career.
Hayley – Operations Director
Previous background:
Hayley began her career in healthcare with a strong academic foundation, completing both a BTEC and HTEC in Physiological Measurements and Medical Physics. She worked in a hospital for eight years as a Respiratory Technician, where she also delivered manual handling training.
Journey into Occupational Health:
While working at the hospital, Hayley was contracted to provide services for an Occupational Health provider. After eight years as an OH technician, she went on to co-found Acorn Occupational Health in 2004. She holds the role of Operations Director, bringing her technical expertise and leadership to the heart of the company.
What she enjoys about Occupational Health:
For Hayley, the best part of the job has always been the people. She thrives on the client contact and values the variety of individuals she meets day to day. “You get to work with people from all sorts of backgrounds.”
Anthony – Occupational Health Technician
Previous background:
Anthony spent over a decade in manufacturing, becoming a Quality Manager before moving into Engineering as a Supervisor. Later, he worked in a cleanroom environment for a drug trial testing company. Along the way, he began building his skillset with various courses, including one focused on Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing – a turning point in his career development.
Journey into Occupational Health:
Occupational Health wasn’t something Anthony initially knew much about. However, when he discovered the field, it struck him as a valuable next step in expanding his portfolio. Since joining Acorn in October 2021, it’s become a meaningful and enjoyable role.
What he enjoys about Occupational Health:
For Anthony, the human connection is key. “It’s the chats you have with employees,” he says. “Everyone’s got their own story, and it’s just nice to listen. It’s a friendly job.”
Emily – Occupational Health Technician
Previous background:
Emily began her working life with a Business apprenticeship, completing a Level 3 qualification. She joined the Occupational Health field in 2017, starting as a Customer Service Advisor. Her dedication and leadership skills saw her promoted to Team Leader. In 2023, she transitioned into a Technician role following internal changes, keen to broaden her experience and continue supporting clients in a more hands-on way.
Journey into Occupational Health:
With years in Occupational Health already under her belt, Emily saw the Technician role as a natural next step. She joined Acorn in June 2024 and quickly embraced the variety and people-focused nature of the work.
What she enjoys about Occupational Health:
Emily enjoys meeting new people and finds satisfaction in being able to help them. One of her favourite parts of the job is conducting hearing assessments. “I like seeing the results on the graph and explaining what it means to someone in a clear, helpful way.”
Final Thoughts
Each story is unique, but the common thread running through all of them is a desire to support people at work – helping employees stay well, manage health conditions, and return to work safely and confidently.
Occupational Health is more than just a job, it’s a chance to make a real difference in people’s working lives. Above all, we’re proud to have a team who are passionate about doing just that.