Alison Northern, MSc, is the Implementation Lead at the Leicester Diabetes Centre, where she oversees the real-world delivery of evidence-based, person-centred educational interventions. She also leads the DESMOND Head Office, supporting national and international rollout of structured education programmes for people living with or at risk of type 2 diabetes and other long-term conditions.

Alison began her NHS career in 2006 and quickly developed a passion for embedding diabetes structured education into routine care. Her work focuses on closing the translational gap between research and practice, ensuring that proven interventions are not only implemented effectively but also sustained long-term. She is committed to improving access, equity, and engagement in diabetes education, particularly among underserved populations.

She has played a pivotal role in the success of several large-scale initiatives, including the award-winning DESMOND group programme, which has reached over 650,000 participants across the UK and Ireland, and the MyDESMOND digital platform, which has supported more than 61,000 users in managing their health remotely.

Alison brings a unique blend of strategic insight and operational expertise to her leadership. She is known for her collaborative approach, working closely with healthcare professionals, commissioners, and academic partners to drive innovation and service improvement.

In 2025, Alison graduated with an MSc in Senior Leadership and Management from De Montfort University and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute. She is passionate about developing future leaders in healthcare and research, and regularly designs and delivers leadership development programmes tailored to the needs of multidisciplinary teams. Outside of work, Alison is a mentor and advocate for women in leadership, and enjoys contributing to initiatives that promote inclusive and compassionate leadership across the NHS and beyond.