Get to know the UKRN Team – Makedah Simpson

Have you ever wondered who the UKRN team are? Well, it’s probably about time we introduced ourselves! Over the coming months, we will continue to share a little insight into each of the UKRN team members (don’t worry, there is only 8 of us and 3 more to continue!). We’ve asked each of the team to answer a few questions about themselves, UKRN and regulation of course!

Previously, we’ve had Kev Smith, Attricia Archer, Charley Grady-Pearce and Carey-Ann Jacques and Barbara Perata-Smith! For this article, we have Makedah Simpson!

  1. Tell me a bit about yourself

Currently, I’m a secondee from the Civil Aviation Authority who is the lead for the Vulnerability, EDI and Data Strategy networks and acts as the primary support for our Young Professionals Network. Personally, I’m in the last year of my twenties. A proud Caribbean woman with heritage from Jamaica, St Lucia and Antiguan but has lived in South London for most of my life (now taking up residence near Crystal Palace Football Stadium). An avid traveller, keen cinema and theatre go-er, mover (love a hike, walk or a fitness class!) and a self-proclaimed Dr Dolittle.  

 

  1. What attracted you to UKRN?

My love for knowledge and to create connections. UKRN provides a unique opportunity to understand numerous priorities and challenges of diverse regulators whilst being able to learn from industry and the third sector. As someone with a background in working with different sectors and in consumer protection (specifically vulnerability), I couldn’t let the chance pass me by.

  1. What achievement has given you the most pride in your career? And also in your time at UKRN?

My proudest achievement is being able to mentor young people at the University of Birmingham. Mentorship has afforded me so many wonderful opportunities to learn about myself and my mentor/s whilst honing my career so being able to give this to someone else? Priceless.
Within UKRN, I’m most proud of the parts of the role that our regulatory members do not see because those are the parts that keep UKRN running whether it is publishing on social media, collating statistics for our internal purposes, designing graphics, having meetings with stakeholders to be able to feed back – the list goes on.
UKRN is such a small but mighty team and I can already say that it will have a place in my heart wherever I end up.

  1. What 3 words best encapsulate regulation for you?

Care, balance and innovation

  1. What 3 words best describe you away from the day job?

I asked my partner to answer this for me to which he said “Funny, Caring and Loving”. He can clearly stay!

  1. What is your favourite tv show and why that choice?

It’s not my all time favourite television show but Loki (found on Disney+) was absolutely amazing. From the plot twists to the use of music, it kept myself and my partner engaged throughout!

  1. What 3 countries/places have you enjoyed visiting the most and why?
  1. Jamaica – My citizenship would be rescinded if I didn’t place it first but there is nothing like home.
  2. Cape Town, South Africa – My step mother lives there so the country no longer feels like a holiday as I can confidently navigate it by myself but from the people to the food, it’s an amazing time.
  3. Dublin, Ireland – Dublin was one of my first ever solo trip when I was travelling to a new country every month between 2017/18. The whole trip felt like a warm hug and I continue to quote my experiences till this day.
  1. What advice would you give to your younger self?

Keep moving forward because life gets better and better… and much to the loving annoyance of your father, keep putting off your driving test (I passed this year after serving enough time as a rightful passenger princess!).

  1. When your time with UKRN is nearing completion– what would you like to be remembered by?

I’d like to be remembered as someone who made people stop and think – whether our regulatory members considered perspectives that they do not come across in their roles, our internal team ponders new elements within our approaches or even if I was perceived as doing a great job (which is the minimum I aim for!).

We really hope you enjoyed getting to know Makedah more. Look out for our next featured team member shortly!