Suzanne Smith

My journey with University College Birmingham began in 1984 when I qualified as a nursery nurse. I subsequently studied nursing and qualified in 1988.

Since then, I have accrued over 20 years of psychiatric nursing experience in Birmingham, Devon and Dorset and also managed a hospital. I ended my nursing journey as a Community Psychiatric Nurse, having completed a Diploma in Community Psychiatric Nursing.

I moved to Italy in 2002 where I owned 2 tourism businesses (international language school and tour company) and worked for the European Union delivering professional English courses to graduates as well as teaching in middle and high schools. I also owned a construction business in Devon. 

On returning to the UK, I opened my own training company which had 10 successful years with contracts for the NHS and large corporations.

From 2015, I worked within the apprenticeship sector within a provider setting and as an apprenticeship manager for a large independent mental health business with over 400 apprentices to support. 

I started my role as a lecturer at University College Birmingham in November 2023.

I hold a Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector qualification, along with assessor, internal and external verification qualifications.