THE woman in charge of three hospitals was the latest speaker at an MP’s series of events to inspire females.

Maria Miller welcomed chief executive of Hampshire Hospitals Alex Whitfield to speak at the MP’s latest Inspiring Women event.

The session on Thursday, 7 March was hosted at the Ark Conference Centre and attendees included a range of professionals from Basingstoke businesses, public services and charities.

Ms Whitfield started her career in operational management at ExxonMobil’s Fawley Oil Refinery and holds an engineering degree from Cambridge University.

After 13 years at Exxon, she moved to the NHS.

Ms Whitfield talked about her professional and personal journey and the importance of taking opportunities when they arise.

Mrs Miller also chaired a question and answer session with Ms Whitfield and a panel of three; Carol Bode, chair of trustees at Basingstoke Voluntary Action; Karen Thomson, lead on diversity and inclusion at Fujitsu; and Sue Vanni, director of Synergy Inspired Resources.

Mrs Miller said: “Alex Whitfield is yet another inspiring woman helping to make Basingstoke a great place to live. Alex is an engineer by training, bringing her much needed problem solving training into the management of our hospital and local NHS services.

“The whole panel gave an insight into the way in which women are developing their careers, the importance of seizing opportunity and the need for more flexible working to ensure parents can still succeed at work.”