Working in finance was always Mayuri Patel’s dream – a dream she made real after moving across the world, supporting a family business and raising two children.
This International Women’s Day, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) is celebrating Mayuri, pictured below, now a management accountant in the Trust’s finance team.
Mayuri’s story began in Mumbai, India. She was surrounded by strong Gujarati cultural values of seva (selfless service), family, and faith. After marrying husband Chandresh, Mayuri moved to the UK in 1995 to join him in Ipswich.
She admits adapting to a new environment, culture, and way of life was “very daunting”.
Mayuri said: “Though I was excited for this new chapter, nothing could have fully prepared me for the reality of starting over.
“Those early years were quietly tough. I wasn’t confident to speak even. It wasn’t the language that was difficult – I had learned English – but the accents, expressions, and cultural references often left me second-guessing myself.
“I felt unsure and often missed the warmth and familiarity of home. I went from being part of a large, close-knit household to adjusting to a new country, a different pace of life, and starting from scratch.
“I found comfort in simple things like sharing home-cooked food with neighbours and celebrating festivals like Diwali and Navratri with other local families.”
Despite the challenges, Mayuri’s resilience grew. With a degree in commerce from the University of Mumbai, she held on to her ambition to build a career in finance. She knew, however, that she would need to re‑qualify in the UK.
While running the family’s corner shop with Chandresh and raising daughters, Hemani and Roshni, now trainee doctors, Mayuri returned to her studies.
“It wasn’t easy,” she said, reflecting on the many late nights she spent studying after work and caring for her children.
“But I knew that if I wanted to work in finance again, I had to begin from the beginning.”
Mayuri’s persistence paid off. Today, she is a valued member of the finance team at ESNEFT as a management accountant. She provides vital financial guidance across the Trust’s corporate services.
She brings not only expertise, but a deep appreciation for the communities ESNEFT serves, bringing empathy and lived experience to her role and team.
Her commitment has also been recognised regionally.
Mayuri won the Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) award at the eastern branch of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) regional finance awards last month.
Mayuri, second from left, pictured with colleagues at the HFMA regional awards
As a dedicated member of ESNEFT’s EDI steering group, Mayuri reports back to the finance team on key discussions and initiatives. Her efforts make sure that the finance department is not only represented but actively engaged in trust-wide initiatives and community events. She also actively supports the Trust’s reverse mentoring programme.
For Mayuri, EDI is deeply personal.
Mayuri added: “EDI are not just professional priorities for me. They are personal values shaped by my own lived experiences and journey.
“I want to be a voice for others. It’s my way of giving back so they don’t have to face the hurdles I did. Everyone has their own biases, but sharing and talking about things helps us all to think from another perspective.
“My heritage shapes everything I do. The values I grew up with – respect, resilience, collective progress – guide how I support colleagues and teams.”
Before arriving at ESNEFT in 2023, Mayuri worked with local councils, charities, faith and interfaith forums, often focusing on those who feel unseen or unheard.
Alongside her professional role, Mayuri has also dedicated decades to community work, too. She has championed inclusion and representation through volunteering, serving as a trustee, treasurer, community organiser and inclusion ambassador.
One of her proudest achievements was helping to co-organise a celebration for South Asian women who had never been publicly recognised for their contributions.
On International Women’s Day, ESNEFT is proud to celebrate colleagues like Mayuri. She credits the inspiring women in her own life for shaping her values.
She added: “I often think of the women in my life – my mother, aunties, and mentors – who inspired me with their strength, humility, and wisdom.
“They showed me that leadership doesn’t always come with a title. Sometimes, it’s found in how we uplift others quietly and consistently.”
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