Episode #17
Resilience, Leadership, and Innovation: Stuart’s Public Health Journey in Suffolk
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Public Health Spotlight, Stuart Keeble, Director of Public Health in Suffolk, sits down to share his unconventional and inspiring journey into public health leadership. Beginning with his university years marked by personal challenges and a lack of direction, Stuart talks candidly about the detours, setbacks, and discoveries including struggling with mental health and later uncovering his own neurodiversity that ultimately shaped his career path. Stuart opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, the role of supportive colleagues, and how a commitment to public service became his driving force. He reflects on pivotal career moments from working in supermarkets and hospitals, to returning to university and discovering a passion for making real impact through data and evidence. The conversation highlights Stuart’s strategic role as Director of Public Health, including his approach to embedding public health values across council-wide decisions and community services in Suffolk. Stuart provides insights into building high-performing, diverse teams rooted in curiosity and challenge, drawing on his strengths as a neurodivergent leader to foster connection, collaboration, and innovation. Listeners will hear how Stuart’s broad portfolio spans community safety, arts and culture, libraries, and data intelligence, and how he’s championed a public health approach in areas like violence prevention and youth social action. He shares powerful stories of young people in Suffolk leading change and explains why participation and co-production are crucial interventions for health and wellbeing. Stuart also reflects on the deep leadership lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, including how it pushed him and his team to their limits, honed his communication skills on public platforms, and deepened his belief in the power of resilience and authentic storytelling. Rounding out the episode, Stuart offers frank and encouraging advice to those aspiring to leadership in public health: believe in yourself, embrace non-linear journeys, and focus on building teams that amplify diverse voices and skills. His message: leadership is a privilege, forged through adversity, learning, and a relentless commitment to community. Tune in for a grounded and motivating conversation that goes beyond policies and programmes to explore the reality of leading change in public health where every story, connection, and challenge can move a community toward better health and opportunity. Thank you for tuning in to Public Health Spotlight: A Panoramic Associates Podcast. For more expert discussions on public health, be sure to subscribe. Visit our website at panoramicassociates.co.uk to learn more about our work in the public health sector. This podcast is produced in collaboration with the Association of Directors of Public Health.
