Member blog: Dr Shade Agboola

Leading with Purpose: A Public Health Journey 

My route into public health wasn’t entirely linear, but it has always been driven by a strong interest in improving the conditions that shape people’s lives. I originally qualified as a medical doctor, but very early in my career I found myself drawn more to prevention than treatment. I became increasingly interested in the wider determinants of health, and the opportunities to improve outcomes across populations, not just for individual patients. 

That interest led me into a research career, where I completed a PhD in medicine, before moving into public health specialist training as an academic registrar. During this time, I held a dual role as an assistant professor at the University of Nottingham alongside my specialist training. This combination of academia and practice gave me a strong foundation in applying evidence to real-world decision-making, something that continues to shape my approach as a Director of Public Health. 

In my current role at Warwickshire County Council, I work across a complex system that brings together local government, the NHS, and a wide range of partners. The role requires both strategic leadership and a focus on delivery, whether improving population health, reducing inequalities, or ensuring we make the best use of constrained resources. Like many colleagues across the country, I am continually balancing long-term ambitions for prevention with the immediate pressures facing services and communities. 

What I value most about public health leadership is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference at scale. We are uniquely positioned to influence the systems and environments that shape health outcomes. This is only possible through collaboration across organisations, sectors, and communities; and I am continually struck by the expertise, commitment, and creativity of colleagues working across the system. Progress is rarely owned by one organisation alone; it is built through shared leadership and collective effort. 

An important part of our role is also to bring visibility to complex and sometimes uncomfortable challenges. Whether addressing inequalities, advocating for prevention, or navigating difficult trade-offs, public health requires us to combine evidence with clarity and purpose. Communicating these issues effectively, and maintaining a focus on long-term impact, is a central part of leadership in this field. 

Being a member of ADPH is an essential part of that leadership. It provides a strong, collective voice for the profession at a national level, alongside a valued peer network. At a time of continued change and challenge across the system, the opportunity to share learning, exchange ideas, and support one another is more important than ever. 

Public health leadership is fundamentally about collaboration, clarity of purpose, and a commitment to improving outcomes for all, especially for those experiencing the greatest inequalities. It is a privilege to be part of a profession that plays such a vital role in shaping healthier communities, and to contribute to a shared national effort to improve the health of our population.